The Reagan Administration warned the United Nations General Assembly today against any attempt to deny Israel its right to participate as a member of the UN.
State Department spokesman John Hughes read a statement in which he noted that he did not know whether Israel’s credentials would be challenged when the credentials committee of the UN General Assembly makes its report to the Assembly tomorrow, as it was last year, “but if this occurs the United States will oppose it with all available diplomatic resources.” There had been earlier reports from the UN that Iran might try to challenge Israel’s credentials.
The U.S. warning added: “The U.S. has always made clear that any attack on Israel’s right to participate in any United Nations organization, if successful, would have grave consequences for our own continued participation and support. As Secretary (of State George) Shultz stated on October 16, 1982, if Israel were excluded from the General Assembly the U.S. would withdraw from participation in the General Assembly and would withhold payments to the United Nations, until Israel’s right to participate was restored.
“This policy reflects the strong sentiment of all elements of the United States government. The Congress expressed the same sentiment in a concurrent resolution last December.”
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