anddealing withcurrent problems, themaintenance of international peaceandsecurity istheprimary purpose of theUnitedNations. InthemindsofthewritersoftheCharter itwascloselylinkedwithprogress inarmslimitation and disarmament. Indeed, Article26oftheCharter givesthe Security Council aleading roleintheestablishment ofa systemfortheregulation ofarmaments. Fortyyearsago,withthelessonsofthedisastrous period leadinguptotheSecondWorldWarstillvividlyinmind, itwasconcluded thattheoldideaofachieving national securi­ tythroughacompetitive armaments raceledonlytoincreas­ inggeneral insecurity. Thatconcept wastherefore tobe replaced byacollective systemofinternational peaceand security, involving inparticular themostpowerful nations, whichwouldplayakeyroleintheUnitedNations Security Council. Incarrying outitsdutiestheSecurity Councilwould, ifnecessary, andwiththesupport ofitsmembers, usethe wholerangeofmeasures setoutinChapters VIandvnof theCharter. Withsuchasysteminplaceandrespected, it wasbelieved thatarmslimitation anddisarmament would naturally follow. Thisnobleandlogicalconcept hasnotbeenrealized for manypractical andpolitical reasons, notleastthelackofthat unanimity ofthepermanent members whichwastohavebeen itsmaindrivingforce.HowhastheUnitedNations reacted totheproblems posedbytheabsence ofthekeyprerequisite ofitssystemofinternational peaceandsecurity? Obviously whereinternational peaceisconcerned, the ultimate priority istheavoidance ofaglobalconflagration. Thatis,ofcourse,amainconcern ofthenuclear Powers themselves, butgreatdangers remainforall.Theseinclude accident, misapprehension oranunexpected concatenation ofeventsinvolving thenuclearPowersinawaywhichthey cannotevade.Thislattersituation couldmostlikelydevelop fromtheescalation ofaregional conflict. Ifthisbriefanalysis isvalid,insurance againstnuclearwar requires measures toslowdowntheonrushofeventsinsuch awayastoallowGovernments nottotakeirrevocable deci­ sionsandtogaintimebysubstituting deliberation forforce. Suchexpedients alsoincludeformulas whichallowGovern­ mentstochangepoliciesthatareboundtoleadtoconfronta­ tion.Theyincludestabilizing mechanisms andnegotiating processes bywhichcrucialconflicts, iftheycannotbe resolved, canatleastbecontained andprevented from escalating. Inthecaseofregional conflicts, especially insen­ sitiveareas,formsofconflictcontrolareoftendesirable. And overall,acentralforumwhereopposing viewscanbefreely expressed andthird-party assistance isavailable isanimpor­ tantpartofkeeping thepeace. TheSecurity Councilhastimeandagainslowedtheonrush ofevents,gainedtimeforvitalchanges indirection, Pql­ ducedface-saving mechanisms andsubstituted talkforviolent action.Ithasstrivenforcease-fires andtrucestopreparethe wayfornegotiation. Ithassetimportant guidelines forthe solution ofcomplex problems andprovided, withtheco­ operation oftheSecretary-General, allmannerofformsof conciliation, mediation, goodoffices, fact-finding, truce observation andquietdiplomacy. Ithasmanaged oftento isolateregional conflicts fromtheareaofconfrontation of thenuclearPowers.Ithasprovided arepository forthemost ***ReportoftheSecretary-General ontheworkoftheOrganization dangerous ofproblems eventhoughitcouldnotsolvethem. Ithasfrequently provided theframework forimportant com­ binations ofbilateral andmultilateral effort.Ithasactedas asafetynet,alastresorttobeusedbyGovernments asthe alternative tofallingintotheabyssofunconfined war.Final­ ly,intheabsence ofthepolitical conditions inwhichChapter VIIcouldbeused,asystemofconflict controlhasbeen pioneered, nowknownaspeace-keeping, whichhasshown considerable promise andeffectiveness in13separate operations. Succeeding Secretaries-General havebeenintensively in­ volvedinalltheseefforts,andtheroleoftheSecretary­ General inpeaceandsecurity matters hasdeveloped ac­ cordingly. Ishallbedealingwiththissubjectlateronin relation tothefuture. Inachangeable and.oftenunfavourable international climate, IbelievetheCouncil's recordinitsprimary task standsupbetterandisagooddealmorecentralandrelevant thanissometimes recognized. Ofcourseitisinnowayup totheexpectations ofachastened buthopefulworld40years ago,anditdoesnotincludeafullandeffective useofthe rangeofactionssuggested bytheCharter. Butintheun­ favourable political conditions inwhichtheSecurity Coun­ cilhasmostlyhadtooperate, itrepresents aconsiderable efforttofindalternative waysforthemaintenance ofpeace. Thereisnodenying thatinthepresentcircumstances the peaceandsecurity systemoftheUnitedNations hasmany weaknesses andmanyshortcomings. Itsuffersfromlackof unanimity andcollegial spiritintheSecurity Council. Itsuf­ fersfromalackofrespectfor,andfailuretoco-operate with, theCouncil's decisions. Itoftensuffersfromareluctance to pre-empt, oreventoforesee, dangerous situations andtouse thepowersoftheCouncil atastagewhenproblems might
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the role of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security, highlighting the challenges and limitations of the organization in achieving its goals. The text emphasizes the importance of the Security Council's role in preventing global conflicts and promoting disarmament. The language used is formal and technical, suggesting a focus on international relations and politics rather than economic or social issues.

**Category**
International relations, Security