The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1957-01-04
U.N. Security Council President,
Christian Philosopher, Statesman

not divulging yet what he thinks
the next step should be.
As for the Middle East DR.. Be-
launde is certain" a solution will
be found. His formula, he says,
is politics for none, sovereignty
AID business for Egypt, and tech
nical assistance through interna-
tional cooperation"
An international UN police
force, DR.. Belaunde thinks, may
will become a permanent arm of
the UN, and in that event should
have its own planes.
1t is often stated that the in
fluence of the Latin American
bloc in the UN has been weaken
ed by the admission of new mem.
bers, but DR.. Belaunde thinks
this is true only numerically. He
feels that qualitatively the Latin
American nations have gained in
influence. He conceives their role
to be that of guardians and sup
porters of the principles of the
Charter on the side of morality
and justice" He is very pleased"
with the role the United States
is now playing in the UN, and
feels that North and South Amer
lea have never been more closely
united than at the present time.
Or. Belaundc is warm
hearted, friendly man with
bright eyes that reflect his pro.
fessed love for his fellow man.
His motto, he says, is play 10
God and laugh WITH men (nev-
Or AT them)." In fact, he tries
TO get laugh at least twice
q day" in the interests Of "ser-
entity and health" His chief en-
ioyments are his fsmiIy-he
has eight children and eighteen
srandehiIdren-and his friend.
ships. This enjoyment he sums
up in the word Conversation"
and il also describes his keen
enjoyment in the Plsfonie
sense" he says.
In addition to his Spanish
Catholic heritage, DR.. Belaunde
feels he has been most influenced
by his training under the French
Vincentian Fathers who gave him
love of clarity and order, and
by his study and love of history
and the liturgy. Another great
influence, he says, was the land
scape around his native Arequipa
in the mountains of Peru, where
he was born 73 years ago and
which is "the most beautiful
landscape in the world"
He has a prediction for the
romantic authors of French and
Spanish literature. His favorite
theologian is Romano Guardini.
His favorite books of devo.
fion are the Imitation of Christ,
treatise on the spiritual life
which is thought TO have been
written by Thomas . kempis,
14th century cleric, and ths
Pensees. book of phiIosophie
reflections written by BIaise
Pascal, 18th century French
mathematician, philosopher and
and mystic.
DR.. Belaunde is a member of
the Peruvian and Spanish Acad-
emieS, and among his published
works are Christ of the Faith
Living SyntheSiS, and Quietude
Serenity and Plentitude. He has
had many honors bestowed upon
him, the most recent being the
Insignis Medal conferred by
Fordham University on November
20 for being distinguished be,
yond the call of his many duties. u
But perhaps the most apt trib.
ute came at the end of the speech
of Sir Leslie Munro of New Zea
land, nominating him as chair
man of the Political Committee
In addition TO DR.. Belaunde's s
many qualifications, Sir Leslie
said, he must also mention thai
he was also zone of the best Low
ed" of the UN delegates.