The Arab attempt to get the conference of non-aligned nations here to go on record as favoring the expulsion of Israel from the United Nations General Assembly appears to have failed as Egypt is not pressing for the move. It was reported here that the Egyptian delegates are in constant touch with Cairo and have been told not to support the hard-line against Israel. In addition, Argentina and some Black African countries are known to be opposed to any expulsion attempt.
African delegates noted that Egypt lobbied against a resolution calling for Israel’s expulsion at the recent meeting of the Organization of African Unity in Kampala, Uganda, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat said yesterday that Egypt’s stand at Lima would be the same as in Kampala.
Meanwhile, the Palestine Liberation Organization, which was admitted to full membership at the conference yesterday, said this was a “triumph” for the Arab cause and this would lead to Israel’s expulsion from the UN. “The next step will be the expulsion of Israel from the United Nations.” Farouk Kaddoumi, head of the PLO’s political department said today.
URGES 1949 UN RESOLUTION BE REPEALED
Tactics by Syria and Libya, who are leading the expulsion move, seemed to take a new turn yesterday when Syrian Deputy Premier Abdel Halim Khaddam urged the conferences to support repealing the 1949 General Assembly resolution which admitted Israel to membership. Khaddam also charged the current Mideast peace efforts were “nothing but a giant step toward war.”
He said the United States, which protected Israel militarily, was now protecting her politically through threats that offended all UN members, an apparent reference to warnings by members of the U.S. Congress and Administration that the expulsion or suspension of Israel would result in a severe lessening of American support for the world body.
Nevertheless, it now appears the conference will do no more than threaten Israel with consequences unless it withdraws from occupied territory, the same steps taken at the non-aligned meeting in Havana last March and at the OAU meeting in Kampala.
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