Inside Report (2)

April 16, 1982

Is the United Nations actively supporting Soviet-backed guerrilla movements?

That's the claim of the conservative Heritage Foundation in Washington. Citing official UN documents, its just-released study asserts that ''since 1975 at least $116 million has been spent or budgeted for what the UN calls 'national liberation movements.' ''

The report says ''UN support of guerrilla liberation movements ranges from gifts of food, housing, and health services to radio channels for broadcasting propaganda.'' Among the controversial groups getting aid: the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the South-West Africa People's Organization.

One irony: The report claims about 65 percent of the money has come from the US and other Western democracies. The study also notes that ''no backing has been given to pro-Western national liberation movement.''m