Ambassador Michael S. Comay, Israel’s permanent representative at the United Nations, announced in the General Assembly’s Budgetary Committee this weekend that Israel would support the five resolutions sponsored by more than 30 African, Asian and Latin American nations to deal with the budgetary problems in connection with UN peace-keeping forces in the Middle East and the Congo.
Expressing agreement with the resolution recognizing the principle of collective responsibility “tempered by capacity to pay, ” Ambassador Comay said Israel had paid all of its assessments, had bought United Nations bonds and would continue to fulfill its obligations.
The five resolutions provide for financing the Middle East and Congo forces of the United Nations until the end of this year and lay down a general principle of collective responsibility for any other peace-keeping operations. According to the resolutions, $42,500, 000 are provided to meet the costs of the UN Emergency Force in the Middle East and the Congo Forces. Reductions in the assessments of underdeveloped countries were made possible by the decision of the more developed nations to make special donations totaling $3, 700, 000, including a contribution by the United States of $2, 000, 000.
None of the Arab nations sponsored the resolutions because of Arab dissatisfaction over the language regarding the “aggressor” question. The Arab states had wanted a clear provision calling for larger assessment for the “aggressor” nation and a smaller assessment for the “victim.”
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