U Thant

U Thant was a Burmese diplomat who served as the United Nations’ third secretary-general from 1961 to 1971, leading the organization through the Cuban Missile Crisis and conflicts in the Congo and Middle East.

Cuban Missile Crisis: A 1962 confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet missiles in Cuba. Thant used private messages and a public appeal to help de-escalate the confrontation.
United Nations Secretary-General: The chief administrative officer of the United Nations, appointed by the General Assembly on the Security Council’s recommendation. This office defines the authority Thant exercised and the limits he faced.
Dag Hammarskjöld: A Swedish diplomat who served as the UN’s second secretary-general from 1953 until his death in 1961. Hammarskjöld’s death created the vacancy Thant was chosen to fill.
John F. Kennedy: The 35th president of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. Kennedy was the US president during Thant’s mediation in the Cuban Missile Crisis.
United Nations Emergency Force withdrawal from Sinai: The 1967 removal of the UN Emergency Force from Egyptian territory after Egypt requested its withdrawal. Critics argued Thant should have sought a Security Council decision before complying.
Congo Crisis: A political and military conflict in the Republic of the Congo from 1960 to 1965, involving secession, foreign intervention, and UN operations. As secretary-general, Thant directed the UN operation amid disputes over its mandate and the country’s future.
Article 99 of the United Nations Charter: A UN Charter provision allowing the secretary-general to bring threats to international peace before the Security Council. It formalizes one way Thant could press the Council to address a crisis.
1961 United Nations Secretary-General selection: The Security Council and General Assembly process that selected U Thant as secretary-general in November 1961. The selection made Thant acting secretary-general, then confirmed him in the office.
Nikita Khrushchev: The Soviet leader who served as first secretary of the Communist Party from 1953 to 1964. Khrushchev received Thant’s messages during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Katanga secession: The 1960–1963 attempt by the Congolese province of Katanga to separate from the Republic of the Congo. Thant’s support for ending secession demonstrated a more assertive use of UN force than critics accepted.

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