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Rusk EEEE, Dean Rusk interviewed by Richard Rusk, Thomas Schoenbaum, and Louis Sohn, Part 2, circa 1985

Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia
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00:00:00 - Early days of the UN / Security Council veto power

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Partial Transcript: In those early days in the UN just after the war there was a special atmosphere.

Segment Synopsis: Dean Rusk describes the energy and General Assembly leadership in the nascent UN. He talks about the Security Council's size and considers the merits of veto powers and majority votes.

Keywords: Australia; Chapter 7; Evatt; Lester Pearson; Paul-Henri Spaak; Russia; UN Charter

00:06:44 - UN membership, voting, and appropriations

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Partial Transcript: How about the General Assembly?

Segment Synopsis: Rusk talks about the increasing number of small member states and their disproportionate impact on General Assembly votes, and David Wainhouse's study of weighted voting. He discusses UN budgeting procedures, emphasizing the influence of principal contributors and national legislatures.

Keywords: associate members; caucus; contributions; federations; financing; funding; membership; voting blocks

00:13:09 - Supranational government / Education and governance in less developed countries

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Partial Transcript: I have one more question that goes back to the beginning, but it's going to be a very current one.

Segment Synopsis: Rusk discusses concerns about supranational governments, but supports the ability of UN specialized agencies to issue directives on vital and non-politicized issues. He talks about limits--including cultural differences and bureaucracy--to specialized agencies' efficiency, but notes several successes as well. Rusk comments on the lack of education in less developed countries and the impact that has on government and international organizations, explaining a Rockefeller Foundation initiative to train "mid-level diplomats of the Third World."

Keywords: Atlantic Alliance; Clarence Streit; FAO; International Bank; U.N. Environmental Program; Unino Now; WHO; international authority; training

00:24:36 - The economic world order

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Partial Transcript: The present problem of the United Nations is the double split...

Segment Synopsis: Rusk talks about the North-South divide, addressing topics including transfer payments, extremism in regional caucuses, and providing development capital through private and public channels.

Keywords: capitalism; development; economic order; foreign investment; resources

00:30:21 - Building influence for General Assembly votes

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Partial Transcript: You started out as a boy believing in the League of Nations and you've always believed and fought for the United Nations.

Segment Synopsis: Rusk explains the purpose of diplomacy and discusses coalition building with respect to UN General Assembly voting. He talks about NATO's view of the UN as well as issue globalization.

Keywords: Adlai Stevenson; Moynihan; NATO Council in Brussels; caucus; consensus; dissent; international organizations