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Boutros Boutros-Ghali Quotes

Powerful Boutros Boutros-Ghali for Daily Growth

About Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Boutros Boutros-Ghali (November 14, 1922 – February 16, 2016), born Boutros Ghali, was an Egyptian diplomat, academic, and politician who served as the sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1992 to December 1996. Born in Cairo, Egypt, Boutros-Ghali studied law at the University of Cairo and continued his studies in economics and political science at Columbia University in New York City. Influenced by Egyptian nationalist leader Gamal Abdel Nasser, Boutros-Ghali began his career as a professor at Cairo University. He also served as Egypt's minister of state for administrative reform and as its foreign minister between 1977 and 1978. Boutros-Ghali's tenure as Secretary-General was marked by efforts to strengthen the United Nations, particularly in peacekeeping operations and humanitarian intervention. However, his proposal for an international military intervention in Bosnia and Herzegovina faced opposition from key UN members, leading to frustration and controversy. Post-UN, Boutros-Ghali continued to be active in politics, serving as Egypt's interim prime minister in 1996, and later as a member of the National Council for Human Rights. He also wrote several books, including "United Nations: The Real World of Diplomacy" (2007) and "Mission to the UN: The Role of the Secretary-General" (1999). Quotes by Boutros Boutros-Ghali that reflect his perspective on global affairs include, "We are moving towards a world in which every country is a city-state," and "Peace is our goal. But it's not just about the absence of war. It's also about justice, about equality, about human rights, about the environment." These quotes underscore his commitment to a more peaceful, equitable, and sustainable world.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We can live with differences and yet be capable of profound unity."

This quote emphasizes the idea that despite our diverse beliefs, values, or backgrounds, humanity has the capacity to find deep unity and common ground. It suggests that coexisting with differences doesn't have to mean conflict or division; rather, it encourages understanding, empathy, and a shared commitment towards peaceful coexistence. The quote conveys a message of hope for harmonious global cooperation, based on respecting and valuing our unique perspectives while working together towards collective goals.

"In the twenty-first century, poverty is a denial of human rights."

This quote by Boutros Boutros-Ghali emphasizes that in the 21st century, the state of being poor represents a violation of fundamental human rights. It suggests that when individuals lack access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, education, and healthcare – essential components for a dignified life – they are being deprived of their inherent right to live with dignity and equality. In essence, poverty is not just an economic problem but also a human rights issue demanding urgent attention and action.

"The real United Nations system was born in the trenches of the Second World War."

This quote emphasizes that the essence of the United Nations (UN) was formed during the trenches of the Second World War. It implies that the spirit of international cooperation, peacekeeping, and collective security which underpins the UN was born out of the shared struggles and hardships experienced by nations during the global conflict. The UN as we know it today – with its mandate to maintain international peace and security, promote sustainable development, and uphold human rights – has its roots in the unity and cooperation shown among nations during one of history's darkest periods.

"Peacekeeping is not an end in itself; it is a means to create the conditions for peace."

Boutros Boutros-Ghali's statement underscores that peacekeeping is a tactical approach, not a goal in itself. It emphasizes that peacekeeping operations aim to establish an environment conducive to peace, facilitating diplomatic negotiations, economic development, and social reconciliation. In essence, the purpose of peacekeeping is to create lasting conditions for peace, rather than just maintaining temporary calm.

"To build a peaceful, prosperous and just society, we must nurture the qualities of empathy, compassion, tolerance, and generosity in every young heart."

This quote by Boutros Boutros-Ghali underscores the importance of cultivating emotional intelligence and moral values in children to build a harmonious, thriving, and equitable society. Empathy helps us understand and share the feelings of others, compassion moves us to alleviate suffering, tolerance fosters respect for diversity, and generosity promotes cooperation and collaboration. By nurturing these qualities in young hearts, we are equipping them with the tools to create a peaceful world where prosperity and justice prevail.

The fact that you had disruptions in the peace process was not only in Rwanda. We had the same problem in Cambodia, we had the same problem in Mozambique, we had the same problem in Salvador.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Process, Fact, Had, Salvador

We were not realizing that, with just a machete, you can do a genocide.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Genocide, Just, Were, Realizing

But at the beginning, our definition of the genocide was what happened to Armenia in 1917 or 1919, it's happened to the Jew in Europe, and we were not realizing - In our point of view, they have not the tools to do a genocide.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Beginning, Point Of View, Realizing

But definitely, when a decision is taken, or when you are trying to oppose a decision, you are in a weaker position than the member states, because they know more about the situation than you. We gave information, but they never gave us any information.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Decision, More, About, Weaker

The failure of the United Nations - My failure is maybe, in retrospective, that I was not enough aggressive with the members of the Security Council.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

United, United Nations, Aggressive

The change began in Somalia, where we discovered that we were involved in an operation where there was no peace, so there was no more a peacekeeping operation because there was no peace.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Discovered, Peacekeeping, Somalia

Rwanda was considered a second-class operation; because it was a small country, we had been able to maintain a kind of status quo. They were negotiating, they'd accepted the new peace project, so we were under the impression that everything would be solved easily.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Small, Country, Been, Rwanda

For President Clinton, according to this discussion I had with him, Rwanda was a marginal problem.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Problem, President Clinton, Rwanda

So this is why I'm always say happy that somebody mentions Rwanda, because behind Rwanda, we have Africa.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Behind, Always, Africa, Rwanda

We got involved in the Rwanda peace process for the simple reason that there was a decision which was taken by the Security Council, because the troops were in Uganda, and we decided to have a military presence.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Process, Reason, Which, Rwanda

In Yugoslavia, I'd asked for additional forces too. I even went to meet the French prime minister, and I proposed additional forces... Nobody wanted to send troops.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Prime, Minister, Additional, Proposed

But I believe that the DPKO at this time was very much involved with American administration and was acting, taking on consideration the demand or the recommendation of the American administration. American administration was very powerful.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Very, Administration, Recommendation

The problem is when you are writing something in retrospective, it needs a lot of courage not to change, or you will forget a certain reality, and you will just take in consideration your view today.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Change, Will, Needs, Consideration

A genocide in Africa has not received the same attention that genocide in Europe or genocide in Turkey or genocide in other part of the world. There is still this kind of basic discrimination against the African people and the African problems.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Other, Africa, Still, Discrimination

There is a greater fatigue concerning the African problem today than five or 10 years ago. The situation now in Africa is worse today than it was 10 years ago.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Worse, Africa, Years, Fatigue

For us, genocide was the gas chamber - what happened in Germany. We were not able to realize that with the machete you can create a genocide.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Chamber, Were, Germany, Realize

When you have an accident, they will save their own people, and those who have worked with you or with the NGOs are left. Unfortunately, this happens always. It is not an excuse at all.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Own, Will, Always, Accident

The real problem was not the troops; the real problem was that only the United States had the infrastructure to do the transport of troops with big planes, and then who will pay?

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Big, United, United States, Transport

I used to say I never talk about my successor, neither about my predecessor.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Never, About, Successor, Neither

It was a mistake. I was wrong, but I discovered this many years later. I was acting on the basis of this mandate given me by the most important leaders of the world: President Bush's father, prime minister of France, President Mitterand, the Chinese, everybody.

- Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Discovered, Mandate, Bush, France

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