Sky-high, mach 2 bash for U.N.

Press, 24 January 1986, Page 6

Sky-high, mach 2 bash for U.N.

NZPA-Reuter New York About two-thirds of the United Nations Security Council were to fly to Paris by Concorde today to wine and dine with the French in celebrating the tenth anniversary of supersonic Atlantic air service. About two-thirds of the 15 members were to make the trip, which is the idea of Claude de Kemoularia, the chief delegate of France, and has raised some eyebrows among those who see it as a junket The United Nations

Secretary-General, Mr Javier Perez de Cuellar, sensitive to criticism that the United Nations is no longer a serious organisation, declined the invitation. Delegates of the United States, the Soviet Union, Britain, Venezuela, and Trinidad and Tobago also declined. Air France, which is State-owned, will pick up most of the bill of about SUSSO,OOO ($96,500). The costs include Concorde fares of SUS429O ($8279) round-trip a person and a side visit by

some of the 19 delegates to Dijon to taste wines, plus a stay at the plush Hotel Crillon, in Paris. Mr de Kemoularia, a friend of Francois Mitterrand’s, said that the tour was his idea to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the inauguration of Concorde service to New York and Washington. He emphatically denied that the adjournment of a council debate yesterday on a complaint by Islamic States that Israelis had profaned the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem was a direct

consequence of the Concorde trip. The council agreed to- debate the alAqsa affair again on Monday. Mr de Kemoularia said that it would be “unfriendly” to report that the trip to France was responsible for the council’s adjournment. He said that the debate, which began on Tuesday, had been heated and it was a good thing to allow some time for reflection. Officials said that the American and British delegates’ refusal to join the tour was a sign they

were aware it could have a negative impact The United Nations is under attack by conservative groups in both countries. Swiss diplomats were reported to be offended by the deferring of council deliberations yesterday. Switzerland will conduct a referendum in March on a proposal to seek United Nations membership, - and officials said that controversy about the Paris trip would be fuel for those who oppose Swiss entry.