After serving as a civil servant for the Government of India, Virendra Dayal (India, 1935 – ) began his almost 30 year career at the United Nations in 1965 by joining the Office of the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). During his time in UNHCR, Mr. Dayal worked as Executive Assistant to the High Commissioner and as Deputy and Regional Representative of the Regional Office of UNHCR at the United Nations Headquarters. In 1972, Mr. Dayal worked as a Special Assistant to the head of the United Nations Relief Operation in Bangladesh. In 1979, he became Director of the Office of Special Political Affairs, and in 1982, Mr. Dayal was asked to serve as Secretary-General Pérez de Cuéllar's Chef de Cabinet, a position he held until he retired from the United Nations in 1993, under Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali. Serving as Chef de Cabinet of Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali at the time of the interview conducted on 31 March 1992, Mr. Dayal had special insight to decisions made by the Secretary-General and the Security Council. The interview focuses on his time spent under Secretary-General Pérez de Cuéllar, specifically during Gulf War and its negotiations, the Iran-Iraq War and the Secretary-General's impartial attitude when dealing with these events.

Middle East

56 p.

Actual interview date as per tape: 31 March 1992.
Typescript.
Yale University Oral history project on the United Nations.
Accompanied by 2 audiocassettes.
Includes index: Middle East.