ISRAEL AND U.N. U.S. attitude to suspension

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33883, 1 July 1975, Page 31

ISRAEL AND U.N. U.S. attitude to suspension

(N.Z.P.A.-lteuter —Copvncht)

NEW YORK.

U.S. funding for the United Nations was almost certain to be cut off if Israel were suspended from the world body, informed sources said.

They said that American officials were actively campaigning to warn United Nations delegates of this possibility though it was not of the intensity that preceded the unsuccessful effort to exclude China from the organisation. United States officials fear that some militant States coulld react to a stalemate in the Middle East peace-making efforts by moving to suspend Israel’s participation at the General

Assembly session which starts on September 16. The preparatory committee of the non-aligned States decided at a recent meeting in Havana to recommend such action although the Algerian Ambassador (Mr Abdellatif Rahal), the chairman of the non-aligned group in the United Nations, told reporters on Monday it appeared doubtful whether a suspension would be made this year.

Britain’s Ambassador to the United Nations (Mr Ivor Richard) told reporters yesterday it would be the end of the United Nations if American support ceased. Other American officials said today that even if the United States remained, its support for the United Nations inevitably would be eroded and congress would almost certainly refuse to vote further funding unless Israel’s rights were restored.