U.N. Rules Out Asking Arafat to 40th Birthday

The General Assembly, under pressure from the United States and other countries, today dropped a resolution inviting PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to attend the 40th birthday celebration of the United Nations.

U.S. officials had said President Reagan might cancel his participation in the ceremonies if Arafat attended.

Arafat was not originally invited to attend the Oct. 14-24 anniversary ceremonies. But a resolution introduced by India and five other nonaligned countries would have had the General Assembly invite Arafat and Sam Nujoma, president of the South-West Africa People’s Organization, which is fighting South African administration of the territory.

After intense negotiations, sponsors dropped their insistence on a vote, which had been expected to receive the necessary two-thirds majority in the 159-member assembly.

Assembly President Jaime de Pinies of Spain read a statement explaining the face-saving diplomatic formula under which the potential crisis was defused.

Observer Status

De Pinies noted that under their observer status, the PLO and the African organization would still have the right to address the assembly on matters of direct relevance to them, and in such addresses could make reference to the U.N.’s 40th anniversary.

A U.S. official, who spoke on condition he not be identified, had said the United States would “re-evaluate the level and extent of its participation” if Arafat participated in the celebration.

Asked whether that meant that Reagan might cancel his planned Oct. 24 address, the official said, “Anything is possible. We’re hoping not to have to make that decision.”