1981 United Nations Secretary-General selection 1981 United Nations Secretary-General selection A United Nations Secretary-General selection was held in 1981. Kurt Waldheim ran for an unprecedented third full term as Secretary-General, losing to Salim Ahmed Salim by one vote. However, the selection deadlocked through 16 rounds of voting as China vetoed Waldheim and the United States voted against Salim. The Security Council finally settled on a dark horse candidate who stayed home and did not campaign. Javier Pérez de Cuéllar was selected for a term beginning on 1 January 1982, becoming the first Secretary-General from Latin America. The deadlock was finally broken by a system of
1991 United Nations Secretary-General selection by acclamation to be Secretary-General of the United Nations for a term ending on 31 December 1996. Boutros-Ghali ran unopposed in 1996 for a second term, receiving votes from 14 of the 15 members of the Security Council. However, he was vetoed by the United States due to disputes over UN peacekeeping missions and unpaid UN dues. After the other Security Council members failed to persuade the United States to change its position, the 1996 selection was thrown open to other candidates. Boutros-Ghali became the only Secretary-General to be denied a second term. 1991 United Nations Secretary-General selection A United