> Peace — the word evokes the simplest and most cherished dream of humanity. Peace is, and has always been, the ultimate human aspiration.
With these soulful words, the reality-dreamer in our Secretary-General reminds us that the age-old dream of peace is not merely a human dream but a divine vision, which is slowly, steadily and unerringly moulding and shaping the world's destiny.> And yet our history overwhelmingly shows that while we speak incessantly of peace, our actions tell a very different story.
> To say that we have perhaps entered a new age of world peace does not sound half as fanciful today as it would have a year ago. In their respective idioms, the leaders of the two most powerful States in the world have said it at the United Nations. People all around the globe have greeted our progress in moving regional conflicts towards their solution with a new mood of optimism and of faith in the workings of multilateral diplomacy. The world is steadily progressing, although not always to our great satisfaction, Therefore, the human in us at times may be sadly discouraged. But on the strength of our progress-loving oneness with the world-evolution, we unmistakably see the turtle-progress-speed of the world.
> Peace has its price. In terms of political compromise, of accommodation, even of short-term disadvantage for the sake of the longer gain, the price may be considerable. It requires courage and statesmanship. In terms of finances, the price is negligible. In a pragmatic sense, war's devastation dwarfs the costs of peace. And in a moral sense, there is no price to place on single human life.
> Let us not forget that peace does not come accidentally or automatically. The impressive progress we are making to end a number of conflicts is the result of hard effort, in some cases over many years. The United Nations has been at the forefront of that effort.
> The peace that we desire is not the peace of the cemeteries, the peace of the concentration camps or the prisons. It is a profoundly humane peace, free from all physical or spiritual violence and founded on two indissociable values which are none the less difficult to reconcile: justice and freedom. The feeling of world solidarity which I mentioned earlier as a force for peace can inspire only men who are free and aspire to equality.
> The United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaim that peace can grow only from justice. It demands respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of every individual.
> In awarding their Peace Prize to the peace-keeping forces of the United Nations, the Nobel Committee recognises that the quest for peace is a universal undertaking involving all the nations and peoples of the world.
> Nowadays, the State's morality has to be in keeping with the morality of mankind, and all political decisions are the outcome of a compromise between purely national interests and the interests of the international community. It is on this world ethic that peace, the supreme universal good, is based. To build peace is in fact to abolish frontiers, to transcend private interests and pursue the common good of all mankind.
> We cannot rest on our laurels. It is of the utmost importance that the positive trends which have recently emerged are strengthened and extended to other issues — some of them of major importance — which still remain unresolved. The present historic moment calls for a firm resolve on the part of all Member States to sustain the momentum for peace, to consolidate the recent improvements in international relations and to expand the areas of agreement on issues of common concern. The climate of conciliation should not be allowed to prove transitory.
> Since injustice and despair find expression in violence, everything that the United Nations does to give assistance to the countries that suffer the most, economically and financially, contributes to world-peace.
> Peace is not a matter only for statesmen, soldiers and diplomats, but also for peoples themselves. Peace is not just the outcome of Government decisions. Peace is a dynamic process which each individual can impede or promote. As a French philosopher once said: 'Peace is built from day to day,' and we, my dear friends, are the builders.
> Our task is to plant the seeds of peace in the mind of every child. Young people must be brought up in the spirit of peace, justice, freedom, mutual respect and understanding. We must heed the Declaration of the Rights of the Child which insists that each child must be able to develop normally in health and with freedom and dignity. We must never forget that children everywhere are entitled to our special protection and care.
> It is now a time of opportunities which we must seize. Nations are talking to one another again, and more openly. They have reached important new agreements such as on disarmament, arms control and the protection of the ozone layer. They are more willing to use the techniques and institutions the Charter provides. Nations now recognise yet again that only the purposes and principles of the Charter can guide us to a peaceful and prosperous world. They understand once more that, ultimately, they can end some of the world's most stubborn threats to peace only by using the United Nations.
> These soldiers of peace are military forces interposed to prevent the use of force. They carry arms only to forestall shooting and conflict. In their composition, they reflect an aspiration for peace, stability and security that knows no frontiers.
> Peace-keeping operations symbolise the world-community's will to peace and represent the impartial, practical expression of that will. The award of the Nobel Peace Prize to these operations illuminates the hope and strengthens the promise of this extraordinary concept.
> The technique which has come to be called peace-keeping uses soldiers as the servants of peace rather than as the instruments of war. It introduces to the military sphere the principle of non-violence. It provides an honourable alternative to conflict and a means of reducing strife and tension, so that a solution can be sought through negotiation. Never before in history have military forces been employed internationally not to wage war, not to establish domination and not to serve the interests of any Power or group of Powers, but rather to prevent conflict between peoples.
> No day of peace should pass without a special salute to the brave men and women of our international peace-keeping forces. For them, every day is devoted to peace. For this, they have earned the respect, the admiration and the gratitude of the international community.
> The men and women serving in the peace-keeping forces, and the troop-contributing countries that provide them, have set a course for the future, a course full of promise and exemplifying a vision and courage far out of the ordinary.
> All supporters of the United Nations have been greatly encouraged by the fact that many of the confrontations and conflicts in the world are giving way to dialogue. Their belief in the indispensability of the Organisation has been fully justified. Multilateral efforts towards peace as stimulated, directed or channelled by the United Nations have been seen to bring results.
> If the United Nations is subject to so many legal, political and practical constraints when it wishes to intervene in current conflicts, can it really fulfil its primary mission of maintaining peace? I will answer that, in the context in which it has to operate, it can contribute, and it does contribute to a considerable extent to a reduction of violence and the promotion of peace. It works to prevent conflicts by attacking their underlying causes. It tries to bring them before the international community as soon as they begin to emerge. It helps, in short, to contain them and settle them by peaceful means.
> It is in the equal interest of all nations, large or small, to work towards a world where nations, like individuals, will operate within a complete, coherent and viable system of law, impartially administered and enforced. Any movement away from this goal holds equal danger for all.
> The main issues of the time we are about to enter are multilateral in their essence. They can only be tackled and solved by nations working together. And that collective action will inevitably require international organisations. Thus, the United Nations fits the future. Its Members know they need it. They will certainly use it.
> Assuming rationality on the part of the world's political leadership and also assuming that international anarchy is not to be countenanced and a nuclear disaster to be avoided, it is hard to see how nations can manage the vast areas of their joint concern except through the World-Organisation.
> We will not be misreading the historical process we are going through if we believe that what previously happened domestically is now happening on the global plane. The United Nations provides nations with an instrument designed precisely to bring about the accommodation of legitimate national interests in the wider international interest. But this demands a sense of purpose, a clear idea of the direction that needs to be given to international affairs and the stamina to pursue that course.
> The United Nations has advantages which are, first, its permanence, all the more necessary because wars are more protracted, second, its neutrality, which it must jealously preserve, and lastly its idealism, which makes the search for peace an honour and not a humiliation.
> Let us work together for a peace of harmony, of justice, of human welfare and of human rights that expresses the best we know and feel from all our cultures. The door to that peace is open wide-let us walk through it together.
O UN Pilot, Javier Pérez de Cuéllar!
Yours is the silver journeyTo the Oneness-Fulness-Harbour.
Calmness-mind, softness-heart,Boldness-life and brightness-soul.
Wisdom within, wisdom without:A splendid role!
```> We take the United Nations seriously when we desperately need it. I would urge that we also seriously consider the practical ways in which it should develop its capacity and be used as an essential institution in a stormy, uncertain world.
> — Javier Pérez de CuéllarPDC 29. Words by Javier Perez de Cuellar put to music by Sri Chinmoy.↩
Peru, Peru, Peru, Peru!
Pabitar shashi ekatar meru.Tomar lagiya urdher kripa sopan.
Tumije tomar nimner trisha bagan.Tomar parane swapanir dak.
Tomar nayane ushashir shankh.Gaurab shir saurabh nir.
Kulu kulu swane nadi anadir.```
```Peru, Peru, Peru, Peru!
You are purity-moon and unity-mount.For you, the compassion-flights
Of the higher worlds.And you are the quenchless thirst
Of your heart-garden.The supreme Dreamer is beckoning you.
Your eyes blow the dawn’s victory-conch.You are your lofty glory’s height.
You are your fragrance-affection-nest.Murmuring, through you is flowing
The birthless and deathless life-river.```
PDC 30. This song is dedicated to Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, the beloved son of Peru. Sri Chinmoy composed it during a visit to the country in January 1987.↩
O United Nations, O UN,
You are the world-bodyCrying for the world-soul.
And you are the earth-lifeLonging for oneness-goal.
In the heart of your glowing dream,Big brothers and brothers small
Shall smile, sing and dance,O Vision-Perfection in all!
```O body of the world,
O soul of the world,In you the silence-nest
Of cosmic oneness-rest.Yours is the nectar-role
To end earth’s sombre dole.Our souls desire to flow
In your duty’s vision-glow. ```O UNESCO, needed you are
Within, without, from near and far.Knowledge, science, culture-light
You bestow on ignorance-night.You are your heart’s hope-fragrance-flower.
You are your soul’s promise-hour-power. ```A moment’s truth
Can and shall make the world beautiful.A moment’s peace
Can and shall save the world.A moment’s love
Can and shall make the world perfect. ```UNICEF,
O mother and child,O sweetness-sea,
O beauty-flower and duty-tree!You are your glowing eyes of light,
You are your loving oneness-height,You are your soaring fulfilment-dream,
A true triumph of the Lord Supreme. ```36-38. The first edition of Perez de Cuellar: immortality's rainbow-peace presented these quotes as captions to photographs of those events.↩
“In your meditation you see beyond the superficial distinctions of race, sex, language or religion, as the Charter encourages us to do. You concentrate on the truths and ideals which unite all mankind: the longing for peace, the need for compassion, the search for tolerance and understanding among men and women of all nations.
“We must never forget that all our activities are aimed at fulfilling the lofty principles of the Charter. We must not lose sight of these objectives despite the frequent difficulties we encounter along the way. In recalling the fundamental goals which inspire our work, you are helping to re-affirm our commitment to the Organisation and its purposes.”On behalf of the Secretary-General, I should like to thank you for your letter of 28 December 1981.
The Secretary-General was indeed grateful for your good wishes for his endeavours in the service of the international community. He also appreciated your kind invitation to participate in a special meditation programme this month, but I am sure you will understand that his many commitments in connexion with his very recent assumption of office will prevent him from joining you on this occasion.
May I also take this opportunity to convey to you the Secretary-General’s sincere appreciation for the kind birthday wishes you expressed at your meeting on 18 January.
Yours sincerely,
— Giandomenico Picco
— First OfficerOn behalf of the Secretary-General, I should like to thank you for your letter of 29 April 1982. You may be sure that the kind words you addressed to the Secretary-General with regard to his efforts in the cause of peace and international understanding were indeed appreciated.
With regard to your request for an appointment with the Secretary-General, I am certain you will understand that his very busy schedule will unfortunately
prevent him from meeting with you at present, but I should like to take this opportunity to convey to you our thanks for your prayers on behalf of the work of the United Nations.Yours sincerely,
— M’Hamed Essaafi
— Chef de CabinetI should like to thank you for your thoughtful letter of 26 January.
It was indeed a pleasure to receive you earlier this month and I warmly appreciated your kind expression of support for my endeavours in the cause of peace and international understanding. Let me also
thank you for the photographs and tape you sent to me, which I shall certainly treasure as a memento of our meeting.With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
— Javier Pérez de CuéllarI have been asked by the Secretary-General to thank you for your letter of 16 January apprising him of your intrepid endeavours in support of the International Year of Peace.
He read with gratification of the admirable commitment, so widely recognised, which you and your colleagues in the Meditation Group share for the principles which underlie both the United Nations Organisation and its International Year of Peace. There could be no more fitting venue than Hiroshima and Nagasaki to make such a demonstration.
He has asked me particularly to send to you and your colleagues in the Group his very good wishes for the year ahead.
Yours sincerely,
— J Paul Kavanagh
— Second OfficerYours sincerely,
—- Alvaro de Soto
— Special Assistant to the Secretary-GeneralI am afraid that the Secretary-General is unable at such short notice to envisage the possibility of joining you. He has nonetheless asked me to convey to you and to all the participants in tomorrow’s ceremonies the attached message together with his very good wishes.
Yours sincerely,
— Alvaro de Soto
— Special Assistant to the Secretary-GeneralThe promotion of mutual human respect across religious, ideological, political and economic boundaries is at the very root of the United Nations and imbued the life’s work of my distinguished predecessor, U Thant. As we remember him therefore we should also bear in mind that the ideals of tolerance and mutual accommodation, which he espoused so dearly, retain to-day all their power and relevance. They should inspire all our endeavours.
My good wishes to you all.
—- Javier Pérez de CuéllarThe Secretary-General, who as you know is at present away from headquarters on an official mission, has asked me to thank you on his behalf for the good wishes and lovely flowers which you so kindly sent him on the recent occasion of his birthday.
With kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
—- Alvaro de Soto
— Special Assistant to the Secretary-GeneralYour aim is to foster harmony and peaceful co-operation among nations through increased human contacts. Your essential message is that we, the members of the human family, despite our many differences, have infinitely much more to unite and bond us together. Nothing could be more in consonance with the essential purpose of the United Nations Organisation.
Accordingly, as United Nations Secretary-General, I wish you every success in this endeavour, for you are all ambassadors in the cause of peace.
—- Javier Pérez de Cuéllar
PDC 47. This message was offered by the Secretary-General on the occasion of the 1987 Oneness-Home Peace Run, a global relay for peace inspired by Sri Chinmoy.↩
Your energetic efforts in the cause of peace have again been brought to my attention. The current Peace Run ’89 is a case in point.
This is but a brief note to express appreciation for all your support of the United Nations and its work.
—- Javier Pérez de CuéllarThe Secretary-General has nonetheless asked me to convey to you his best wishes in your endeavours.
Yours sincerely,
—- Alvaro de Soto
— Executive Assistat to the Secretary-GeneralAt a meeting on 16 July 1976, Secretary-General Waldheim presents Sri Chinmoy with a silver medallion in appreciation of his work at the United Nations. The two met again on 7 March 1977 and on 24 October 1978. During their first meeting Mr. Waldheim remarked: "You are praying for peace. I know what you are doing for us. I know it. I can feel it."
Secretary-General Pérez de Cuéllar meditates with Sri Chinmoy on 13 January 1983, remarking later in the meeting: "I am indeed touched by your sincere expression of support for my efforts in the cause of peace and international understanding.
"In your meditation you see beyond the superficial distinctions of race, sex, language or religion, as the Charter encourages us to do. You concentrate on the truths and ideals which unite all mankind: the longing for peace, the need for compassion, the search for tolerance and understanding among men women of all nations.
"We must never forget that all our activities are aimed at fulfilling the lofty principles of the Charter. We must not lose sight of these objectives despite the frequent difficulties we encounter along the way. In recalling the fundamental goals which inspire our work, you are helping to re-affirm our commitment to the Organisation and its purposes."
PDC 29. During the nearly twenty years that Sri Chinmoy and the Peace Meditation group have been offering programmes at United Nations headquarters, many messages of goodwill and mutual appreciation have been exchanged with the United Nations Secretaries-General and their office. The following selection of quotations and correspondence illustrates this relationship founded on mutual respect for service to the cause of peace.↩
From:Sri Chinmoy,Perez de Cuellar: Immortality's Rainbow-Peace, Agni Press, 1989
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