Delegates, who gathered here over the weekend for the 78-nation non-alignment conference, were today grappling with the demand by the Arab delegates that the conference agree to press for the expulsion of Israel from the United Nations.
Many delegates were obviously surprised by the announcement last night that the Arab states had unanimously agreed to ask the conference to help them in seeking Israel’s expulsion when the UN General Assembly convenes in September. Most believed that the progress toward an Israeli-Egyptian interim agreement on the Sinai would reduce the pressure for an Israeli expulsion. Egyptian Minister of State Mohammed Riad’s only comment to newsmen was “we are pursuing the matter.”
A number of states represented here have expressed opposition to the move and have noted that the United States has indicated it will pull its delegation out of the General Assembly if Israel is suspended or expelled. The U.S. Congress is almost certain to out off American funds for the UN. The recent meeting of the Organization for African Unity, whose members are represented here, rejected a move by the Arabs to call for Israel’s expulsion.
The drive to expel Israel is being led by Syria which reportedly is urging a resolution that would either seek Israel’s outright expulsion or the abrogation of the General Assembly resolution of May 11, 1949 which admitted Israel to the Assembly.
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