Today, 49 years ago, on 7 December 1976 (Calendar 17 October 1976), Waldheim succeeded the United Nations Secretary-General. Waldheim will again work for the United Nations. Kurt Waldheim was formerly an Austrian diplomat. On 7 December 1976, 57 years old, he would again serve as Secretary-General for a five-year term. Waldheim has been following a code of conduct of peaceful patience rather than embarking on bold diplomatic actions. His neutrality gesture has been both praised and criticized. People have criticized him for making the United Nations position in the minds of people down. But his neutrality policy has helped the Middle East negotiations to take place in Geneva. Without his role, such negotiations could not be started.