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Kennedy Evasive on Backing Measure Denying Aid to Biased Arab States

March 7, 1963
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President Kennedy today told a press conference that, before commenting on a proposed amendment to deny aid to nations, like the Arab states, that discriminate against Americans on a basis of race or religion, he “would like to take a look at its language, and find out under what conditions it would give us this power, before I could comment on the amendment.”

The President was asked specifically about a new proposal by Rep. Leonard Farbstein, New York Democrat, to link foreign aid with non-discrimination by beneficiary nations. The Administration previously accepted “discretionary” authority, empowering the President to sever aid, but Mr. Kennedy has failed to take such action. This gave rise to current discussion in Congress of a mandatory clause in forthcoming legislation.

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