members, thathasbeeninevidence recently, canenhance theCouncil's influence in thepreservation ofpeaceinthecomingyears. Forthispurposeitcould,intimes oftension, sendfact-finding missions toproblem areasbothtoobtaindirect information andtoserve,atleasttemporarily, tostabilize thesituation. The Council canalsousefully makerecommendations fortheresolution ofconflicts, which,ifbacked byalltheCouncil's members, canhaveadecisive impact. Such action onthepartoftheCouncil isforeseen inArticles 34and36oftheCharter. 6.TheSecretary-General isincreasingly beingcalled upontoextendhisgood offices inordertoprevent conflicts fromarising ortohelpparties toadispute toresolve theirdifferences. Anexample ofthewidening natureofthe circumstances inwhichhismediation hasbeenrequested isthecasewherethe conflict isbetween theGovernment andtheinternal armedopposition. Itis necessary toenterthecaveatherethatbeyondthefieldofinter-State conflicts, therearecertain tobecaseswheretheSecretary-General's goodoffices cannot be productive andwouldnotbeappropriate inprinciple. Forpeace-making, close understanding between theSecurity Council andtheSecretary-General willalways be essential, aswillbethewillingness ofallparties toaconflict toco-operate anddisplay theflexibility required toachieve asolution. Inthecomingperiod, itisforeseeable thattheefforts oftheUnited Nations inthematterof international peaceandsecurity willbewidely sought andapplied. 7.Peace-keeping operations havealsoassumed newandbroadened dimensions. United Nations contingents havestoodguardbetween hostile armies, observed the withdrawal offoreign troops, monitored borders andnational elections, assisted in thedisarmament andrelocation ofbelligerents,and undertaken policefunctions. Itissignificant thatinNamibia andCentral America peace-keeping operations were undertaken inordertobringaboutconditions inwhichviolence wouldceaseand conditions forregional peacecouldbeestablished. Theneedforsuchundertakings willcertainly recurinthefuture. Aversatile capacity indealing withconflicts andwithsources ofconflicts willremain aprimary requirement forthe Organization. 8.Intheprevention andresolution ofconflicts, timely andreliable information andanalyses ofdevelopments affecting international security areoffirst importance. Theyare,foronething,essential inplanning howtodealwiththe causes oftensions, especially whenthesecauses canrequire widelydiffering -3- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Libraryremedies. Thepolitical sectoroftheSecretariat hasbeenrestructured toimprove theacquisition, processing andanalysis ofpolitical information relevant to international security. Morerecently, asenior-level monitoring andplanning staffonpeace-keeping activities wasestablished withintheSecretariat, which shouldfacilitate thedeployment ofpeace-keeping forces andtheirability tomeet theparticular requirements ofcrisissituations. Moreisrequired, however. Considering thevariety ofthesources ofinternational conflict, therehasarisen aneedforbroader monitoring andplanning thatwilltakeintoaccount information andresources available throughout thesystem asawhole. * * * 9.Disarmament, beingessential totheprocess ofstrengthening international security, willbeadominant challenge ofthe1990s. Themajortransformation in international relations thathastakenplacerecently presents avaluable opportunity toforgeanewspiritofco-operation inachieving security at significantly lowerlevelsofarmedforcesandarmaments through disarmament. 10.Oneofthemostpressing issuesduringthecomingyearswillcontinue tobe nuclear disarmament. Current efforts bythetwomostpowerful nuclear-weapon Statesradically toreducetheirstrategic nuclear arsenals mustbesustained and, atanappropriate time,theothernuclear-weapon States mustbebrought intothe process. Insuchcircumstances, theneedtostrengthen thenon-proliferation regimeofnuclear weapons willbemorecritical thanever. Alsocritical isthe needforprogress tobemadetowards achieving acomprehensive test-ban treaty. Without tangible andconvincing progress towards thisend,thefutureoftheTreaty
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the United Nations' efforts in maintaining international peace and security, discussing the roles of the Security Council, the Secretary-General, and peace-keeping operations. It also touches on disarmament and nuclear disarmament, highlighting the importance of cooperation and the need for progress. The text does not mention economic development, natural resources, agriculture, industry, transport, communication, international trade, health, education, employment, humanitarian aid, culture, or science and technology as key topics.

**Category**
International relations, Humanitarian aid and relief