Give peacekeeping muscle to the United Nations

The need for a standing United Nations military force to fulfill the organization’s prime mission of maintaining peace has become almost a cliché of international rhetoric. The idea figured in the charter from the very beginning, has been urged ever since.

The end of the Cold War has seen not a reduction but increase in the number of open conflicts and appeals to the UN to restore peace.

The United Nations, being all the nations, cannot and must not have enemies, but it does have principles and practices to defend. Therefore, if the organization considers itself serious, these principles must be defended seriously and vigorously.

Getting a better, more effective peacekeeping job out of the United Nations is obviously in the world’s interest. It requires a shift in attitude. We should demand peaceful results.

2. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases.

A shift in attitude; an appeal to (smb.); an increase in; a charter; to restore peace; peacekeeping; in the world interest; a standing military force; to maintain peace; a reduction.

3. Give English equivalents of the following words and phrases.

Восстанавливать мир; сокращение; изменение отношения; сохранять мир; в интересах мира; увеличение числа; призыв к; постоянный военный контингент; защищать; миротворчество.

4. Read the article again and answer the questions.

1) What has become a cliché of international rhetoric?

2) What idea has been urged in connection with the UN’s role in the modern world?

3) Has the number of open conflicts reduced since the end of the Cold War?

4) What does the UN have to defend?

5) What is the world’s interest?

5. Questions for discussion.

1) Why do you think a standing UN military force is of growing importance today?

2) What principles and practices to your mind does the UN have to defend?

3) Do you agree that the UN could and should have a more active peacekeeping function?

4) What shift in attitude is needed?

9. Translate the following articles into English.

Президент Российской Федерации посетит с официальным визитом штаб-квартиру НАТО. Об этом сообщил заместитель главы МИД. Первоначально планировалось, что посещение штаб-квартиры НАТО будет носить протокольный характер, однако после терактов в Бостоне предстоящие беседы будут серьёзные.