Showdown at U.N. Anticipated on Arab Refusal to Finance Gaza Forces

With the International Court of Justice, an organ of the United Nations, having ruled that all members of the U.N. must pay the costs of all U.N. operations, including the United Nations Emergency Force guarding the peace between Israel and Egypt, observers here believed today that the most critical showdown will ultimately face the United Nations on the issues of financing the UNEF in the Gaza area and the costs of the U.N. operations in the Congo.

The court, ruling in an advisory capacity, by a vote of 9-5, held that member states must pay the UNEF and Congo costs, regardless of whether they agree with the decisions that set up these forces. The principal defaulters in regard to UNEF are the countries of the Soviet bloc, which owe $19,394,851 on the UNEF account and the Arab states, which owe $1,469,019 on that account. Egypt, which had agreed to the stationing of the UNEF in the Gaza Strip and at Sharm el-Sheikh, overlooking the Gulf of Akaba, refuses to pay for the UNEF operations there.

In accordance with U.N. procedures, the entire issue goes back now to the General Assembly, which had requested the advisory opinion on the issue from the World Court. It is estimated that it may take at least two years before the issue comes to a head — if the Assembly chooses to follow through on the matter. A member in default of payments totaling two years’ dues and assessments could be deprived of the right to vote, under the provisions of the U.N. Charter.

One Arab country, Yemen, is already in arrears under the two-year rule. Yemen owes the U.N. $17,000 now. Along with three Latin American countries –Bolivia, Guatemala and Paraguay — Yemen can be technically disqualified from voting unless it pays up by mid-September. Israel is in very good standing at the U.N. financially.