US efforts to have Israel in the West Europe group

The US ambassador at the UN, Richard Holbrook, has stated that US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright intends to urge the European Union to enable Israel to join a UN regional group known as the group of Western Europe and other countries.

On Monday Holbrook said that he had informed the ambassadors of the European Union that he and Albright will talk to them every week if not every day next year. "I can assure you we will not give up this matter," he said.

Strong opposition by the Arab states and other countries has prevented Israel from joining the Asian group at the UN. So far all efforts have failed to give Israel a provisional membership in the Western Europe group and other countries, which include Australia, New Zealand and Canada, despite the active US efforts to have backing from the EU capitals.

Holbrook described the not having Israel's membership in the Western Europe groups as regrettable matter.