Boutros-Ghali

I was truly disappointed that you failed to avail yourselves of an all too rare opportunity to cast the United Nations in a favorable light. A headline like “New Leadership at the U.N.: The Bridge to 21st Century” or “Respected Kofi Annan, Acclaimed Chief, to Herald New Era at U.N.” on your Dec. 18 article would have better captured the spirit of the moment than your choice: “U.N. Chief Boutros-Ghali Exits Scolding the U.S.” This exaggerates the event (quote the more appropriate phrase “gentle scolding” in your text), and sounds demeaning of a man of considerable courage, integrity and dedication.

I was equally disappointed to find your article tucked away on Page 6. In a complex world where simple recipes are hard to come by and achieving bipartisan support is increasingly difficult, cooperation with and working through the U.N. can be, must be, a vital component in U.S. global diplomacy. Recognizing and raising the sensitivity of the U.S. public to this fact should be one of the objectives of a great newspaper.

PETER C. BARON

Fullerton