Reaching For The Olive Branch: UNRWA And Peace In The Middle East
This is the best available brief survey of the history and present role of the "temporary" U.N. body for Palestine refugees that was created in 1949 and bids fair to continue as long as the conflict over Palestine does. Viorst, who knows the Middle East well, retains his objectivity amid all the claims and counterclaims of the parties to this unsolved problem, takes note of what UNRWA might do to help a transition from conflict to peace, and makes good use of his recent contacts with officials of UNRWA and with those of the host countries.
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The UN's top job is one of the hardest, and least defined, in the world. Canny officeholders have managed to turn it into an open-ended diplomatic and humanitarian post, but much depends on personality. So when the UN picks a new chief this year, it should focus on character; that, not experience, is the key to success.
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