UN General Assembly
1967

56. The fact that it has not been possible for the United Nations to find a solution to the crisis in the Middle East, or to achieve a settlement of the dispute in Cyprus, or to make any meaningful contribution towards a solution to the conflict in Vietnam, has resulted in widespread criticism of the United Nations and considerable disillusionment in many quarters. Some speakers from this rostrum have spoken of a crisis of confidence in the United Nations. I share the regret that the United Nations has not been able to achieve results in these questions, but I believe the criticism is not fully justified. The United Nations, after all, only reflects the political constellations in the world, The Organization is not a world tribunal to make or enforce political decisions; it is only an instrument which Member States can use if they are willing to co-operate. If the willingness to co-operate is absent, this will naturally be reflected in what the United Nations can achieve, or, rather, cannot achieve.