"You can safely appeal to the United Nations in the comfortable certainty that it will let you down"

This quote by Conor Cruise O'Brien is a cynical view of the United Nations. It indicates that the United Nations is unreliable and will not come through when needed. O'Brien is recommending that if one appeals to the United Nations for assistance, they should not expect a positive outcome. He suggests that the United Nations is not a reputable source of aid and assistance. This quote reflects an absence of faith in the United Nations and its capability to supply help in times of need. It indicates that the United Nations is not a reputable source of aid and that one must not anticipate it to come through in a crisis. O'Brien's quote is a pessimistic view of the United Nations and its capability to supply aid and support.