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UN Council Debate Set

July 9, 1976
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The issue of Mrs. Dora Bloch will be brought before the Security Council by Israeli Ambassador Chaim Herzog when the Council convenes tomorrow evening to debate Israel’s rescue operation at Entebbe Airport. The debate was requested by the Organization of African Unity which this week accused Israel of a “wanton act of aggression” against Uganda.

Herzog’s speech, it was understood, will also contain a detailed, factual account of the collaboration of Uganda President Idi Amin with the Air France hijackers and specific aid rendered the terrorists by Amin. The Israeli envoy will also speak out strongly against all forms of international terrorism and stress the urgency of multi-lateral measures against them.

Herzog met this morning with Security Council President Piero Vinci of Italy to discuss the debate scheduled tomorrow. He met this afternoon with Secretary General Kurt Waldheim to protest Waldheim’s remark that the Israeli action to save the hostages violated Uganda’s territorial sovereignty.

ISSUES IN THE DEBATE

Meanwhile, diplomatic sources at the United Nations said that the United States, Israel and Western members of the Council want the debate to deal broadly with the issue of international terrorism and hijacking in contrast to the Africans and their allies who seek to condemn Israel over last weekend’s operation.

A draft resolution, circulated here by the African states, calls on the Council to condemn Israel for “aggression” against Uganda and demands that Israel pay compensation to Uganda for damages resulting from the Israeli operation.

Diplomats here said that the U.S. is certain to veto any resolution condemning Israel while the Western members of the Council–France. England, Italy and Sweden–are expected to abstain. The U.S. and the Western states are reportedly trying to reach agreement on proposals that would deplore terrorism and hijacking together with a call reaffirming the need for the sovereignty of states.

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