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Polish Discrimination Against Jewish Journalists May Bar Warsaw As Site for Talks

April 23, 1968
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Continuing efforts by the Communist countries to have Warsaw selected as the site of Vietnam peace talks were serious weakened by the disclosure today of official Polish discrimination against so-called “Zionist” newspapermen. The United States Government has insisted that whatever site is selected, it must be accessible to all journalists, regardless of nationality, race or religion.

Information received here from Warsaw indicated that Poland is no longer issuing visas to foreign journalists suspected of being Israelis or “Zionists,” the Polish euphemism for “Jews.” A Polish Embassy spokesman said he had “no indication” from Warsaw on whether “Zionist” journalists from abroad would be welcomed to cover any Vietnam talks. U.S. State Department officials who have been following the current anti-Jewish campaign in Poland said that they were “aware of a possible problem arising from Poland’s discrimination against Jews.”

North Vietnam has insisted that peace talks be held either in Poland or Cambodia. Poland appeared the more likely because the United States maintains an embassy in Warsaw with the necessary communications facilities. But Washington, apart from stipulating that the locale of the talks be open to the world press, would prefer a neutral site.

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