The Papers of United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Boutros Boutros-Ghali’s term as U.N. secretary-general was unique. His election in December 1991 brought him into office during the tumultuous post-cold-war years when the U.S.-Soviet confrontation that had largely sidelined the United Nations had come to an end. Faced with a staggering array of issues that included ethnic cleansing in Bosnia, anarchy and mass starvation in Somalia, and genocide in Rwanda, he provoked the displeasure of the United States and, as a result, failed to win a second term as secretary-general. These papers, which include speeches, statements, correspondence, and reports, provide invaluable background to Boutros-Ghali’s tenure and controversial ouster.

Charles Hill is lecturer in international studies at Yale University. He was special consultant on policy to Boutros Boutros-Ghali from 1992 to 1996. He is a Distinguished Fellow in Diplomacy at Baylor University and a research fellow at the Hoover Institution.