UN General Assembly
1972

113. Thus what has been for many years an unchanging pattern of cold war, military confrontation and political recriminations has now entered a tentative period of contact and dialog offering the hope of more concrete results. This relaxation of tension, if continued, might be expected to create a new climate that would vitally improve the functioning of the United Nations and particularly the Security Council. As we all know, the failure of the Security Council to meet the requirements of the Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security has been largely attributed to the absence of unanimity among the permanent members in the wake of the cold war. The present detente opens the possibility for better co-operation between the great Powers in the Security Council, which might lead to the desired unanimity on major issues as envisioned in the Charter. The road towards that goal may still be long and arduous, but the first important step appears to have been taken.