Memories and Lessons From Somalia

Summary

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"I think we can very easily change the image of the United Nations," [Jan Eliasson] says. "We need to stop talking about Oil-for-Food or the peacekeepers and start talking about Afghanistan and Lebanon and Liberia. Those are three instances where the success is very much because of the United Nations."

"The litmus test and measuring rod for U.N. reforms must be the differences they mark for people and crisis areas around the world," he says. "The nightmare of Somalia will forever remind of the urgent need for prevention, for early action and for effectively dealing with civil wars and tormenting ethnic and religious conflicts."

The new General Assembly president points to the U.N.'s official definition of terrorism, which is due in September, as one step in that process. He also says that the U.N., in cooperation with "multilateral and regional diplomacy" has to find ways to combat the poverty and hopelessness that serves as terrorism's breeding ground. "Our main task now is to accept, and live up to, the triple challenges of development, security and human rights. The three are intertwined and affect and reinforce each other."

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Extract

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Memories and Lessons From Somalia

The pain on his face is clear as Jan Eliasson speaks about his time in Somalia.

The career Swedish diplomat says the memories of poverty and hopelessness he witnessed there remain with him always. They serve as powerful reminders of what the United Nations can and cannot accomplish.

"I think Somalia was a disgrace in that w...

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