Bush Asks UN to Repeal Zionism, A Move Sununu Refused as Governor With AM-Bush-UN, Bjt

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) _ In 1987, when U.S. governors signed resolutions denouncing the United Nations for equating Zionism with racism, then-New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu alone refused to sign.

He listed several reasons, not wanting to get involved in Mideast squabbles because his Lebanese heritage might someday get him involved in peace negotiations.

On Monday, the White House chief of staff's boss, President Bush, asked the United Nations to repeal its 1975 resolution equating Zionism with racism.

Five years ago, the American section of the World Zionist Organization circulated a petition to every governor to condemn the U.N. General Assembly resolution.

Sununu said that year that it was wrong for a governor to make pronouncements on foreign policy. He also said critics had misinterpreted his refusal to sign the statement.

''In fact, I have urged that assurance for Israel's freedom and security must be recognized as the key to any discussions and negotiations which could lead to peace in the Middle East,'' he said.

In 1988, when he was named Bush's chief of staff, Sununu said if he had to do it over again, he would have made it clear that he opposed the U.N. resolution, even while refusing to sign.

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