U.S. Serves Notice on Ilo

The Carter Administration served notice on the International Labor Organization today that it intends to sever relationship with it next November unless by that time the United Nations body desists in its politicization practices.

In an unusual action, the State Department volunteered a statement reiterating the aspects of the letter sent by the Ford Administration to the ILO Nov, 1975 giving the required two-year notice of withdrawal because of the trends within the ILO. The letter said that the American government and its employer and union representatives in the ILO found the organization is turning away from its basic purposes that include commitment to free trade unions and an open political process.

While the Palestine Liberation Organization was not specified in the letter, U.S. officials at the time indicated that the ILO step that precipitated American withdrawal notice was its granting the terrorist organization observer status.

The PLO, officials said then and reiterated it to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today, has no trade unions or employers and therefore is not eligible to participate. When a PLO speaker arose in the annual conference in June. 1975, the American labor and employer representatives left the room. Five months later, the U.S. gave formal notice of intention to withdraw.

In announcing that the new Administration is maintaining its predecessor’s position, State Department spokesman Frederick Z. Brown said that the views in the letter are “no less valid today” and “will guide our actions and decisions in the critical months ahead.” Brown said his announcement was to make the present U.S. government’s “position clear.”