Does the White House Recognize the Role of the United Nations?

Juxtaposing the articles "UN Peacekeepers Face Tough, New Challenges," March 25, and "Baker's Record At 'State' Strong on Pragmatism, " May 5, illuminates why Secretary of State James Baker III has been criticized for lacking the vision thing. Nowhere in his otherwise provocative discussion of opportunities and problems that the United States faces in the world does Mr. Baker mention the increasingly important role of the United Nations.

While turning its attention inward in the wake of the Rodney King verdict and with the approach of the fall elections, the US must encourage international organizations such as the UN to address potential areas of conflict that the US might once have handled unilaterally. Unfortunately, Baker is not alone in the current administration in failing to recognize this point. Mark S. Sternman, Cambridge, Mass.

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