U.S. gives notice of continuing tough attitude at U.N.

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34107, 20 March 1976, Page 15

U.S. gives notice of continuing tough attitude at U.N.

a Zealand Press Association —Copyright)

WASHINGTON, March 19.

J'he United States will pursue a tough policy toward nations opposing its interests at the United Nations, including direct bilateral action if warranted, a State Department official has told Congress.

I he style might be different between Ambassador (Daniel I*. Moynihan) and Ambassador (\\ ililam I-'. Scranton) but the basic approach of frankness and candour would be the same, said Mr Samuel Lewis, \ssistant Secretary of State for International Organisation Affairs.

Testifying to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on United States policy now that .Mr Scranton has replaced Air Moynihan as Ambassador to the world body. Mr Lewis said : “When we see a consistent pattern of hostility toward the United States, unjustified by any reasonable and honest differences of policy, we will consider whether there are appropriate direct bilateral responses that we should carry out.”

"While we welcome honest and vigorous debate over issues.” he said, “countries should not believe, without any concern for the consequences, that they can attack the vital interests of the United States on behalf of some abstract concept of group solidarity, particularly when their own national interests are not involved.” Mr Lewis said the United States also "will continue

selectively to refuse to par- ■ ticipate in United Nations- ■ activities which we believe are fundamentally unsound ■ or grossly irresponsible.” ( AsM-mbly Mance For example, he said that as a result of the United I Nations General Assembly’s resolution equating Zionism I with racism, the United ; States has decided “not to participate in the decade to combat racism” sponsored by the world body. “We hope that our firm | stand will give many countries serious second thoughts about the wisdom of letting a situation develop in which ■over the longer term they lose more than they gain,” j Mr Lewis said. He said the United States, I would continue to “speak!

out firmly and forcefully on behalf of American interests” in international organisations, “particularly in the General Assembly.” “There may be differences of judgment from time to time on precisely how this may best be done,” Mr j Lewis said, “but basically an

approach of vigour and candour on our part strengthens our participation in the United Nations.”