29 Oct 2002

Israel may assist Palau to increase its participation in the United Nations

5:19 pm on 29 October 2002

Israel's ambassador to the Pacific, Gabby Levy says Palau may receive assistance to increase its participation in the United Nations.

Mr Levy says Palau's financial and resource limitations prevent the country from casting votes on UN resolutions.

Mr Levy's comments come after his visit to Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia to discuss Israel's aid programmes in the region and to lobby for their support in the UN.

The Canberra based Ambassador says they are looking at ways to ensure that Palau's ambassador in Washington can cast his country's vote at the UN.

"Budgetary reasons or others, they cannot maintain two missions in the United States, so the Embassy in Washington is also accredited to the UN, but the Ambassador cannot travel on a daily basis to the UN so we are exploring the possibilities of the voting by Palau."

Israel's Ambassador in the Pacific Gabby Levy

The Marshalls and FSM have indicated that they could cast a proxy vote on behalf of Palau at the UN.

Both the Marshalls and FSM have been staunch supporters of Israel.