White House expects U.N. success

Press, 29 December 1979, Page 6

White House expects U.N. success

NZPA Washington) A White House official ex- [ pressed optimism yesterday [ that the United States will be able to get United Nations authorisation for economic sanctions against Iran, and that the Soviet Union will not veto fhe move. “I think there is some optimism that the Soviet Union will simply abstain.” [said the official, who asked mot to be identified by name, [ The official said the) ■ United States did not now: ■believe obtaining the nine: [necessary votes in the: [United Nations Security! Council would be a problem, j The question was made [more uncertain after the [United States criticised the | Russians’ role in the coup j [d’etat in Afghanistan yester|day. C.B.S. News reported [yesterday that President [Carter himself was personally contacting the leaders

|of the Soviet Union, China, [and other nations seeking [their support. In New York, America’s 1 chief United Nations delegate (Mr Donald McHenry’) : yesterday canvassed Security ; Council members for the [ economic sanctions against Iran. The Security Council meeting is expected to begin . tomorrow (N.Z. time). Diplomatic sources said I Mr McHenry has so far only . received assurances of back■jing from the four other o Western members of the 15- :■ nation council — Britain, ilNorway, Portugal,. and H France, with France saying [it would only agree provided ■'the sanctions were not too ?j sweeping. : i The United States has set i its sights on an international ■ economic power play aimed ijat ending the seven-week-old ti captivity of American hos--Itages at the United Stales ;'Embassy in Teheran.

The militants holding the hostages have the backing of Iranian authorities, and are demanding the extradition of the deposed Shah, who is now in Panama after receiving medical treatment in the United States. Mr McHenry’ has not yet spelled out publicly die type of sanctions he is seeking [ and experts say that, even if i the United States won approval for a Sanctions plan, [ it would take months, for! them to have any effect on' Iran.

Discussions directly relatI ing to Iran were virtually suspended yesterday, partly because the substantive talks were going on in capitals, diplomats said, and partly because the General Asserrijbly resumed ballotting on an • unprecedented struggle bei tween Cuba and Colombia [for a two-year Security Council term beginning next (Tuesday.