UN General Assembly
1969

emerge. First, the totally inadequate response of the United Nations to the defiance of the colonial régimes in southern Africa has contributed much to dampening enthusiasm for the United Nations. Secondly, by now it should be clear that no further pleas would make the colonial régimes change their course of action. Thirdly, if there is any hope for improvement in all those critical areas, that improvement will have to come as the result of the more influential Members of the Organization taking effective action commensurate with their responsibility under the Charter. 41. There is also some scepticism, especially among the small countries, about the United Nations being able to respond to their security needs. As is well known, because of the impasse in the Security Council, the hope of collective security under the Charter has never been realized. On the other hand, the increasing role of the United Nations in peace-keeping has been nipped in the bud as a result of the big Powers’ refusal to share responsibility with the smaller countries for the maintenance of peace and security.