Stein Says There is No Contradiction Between Supporting Nixon and Jackson

Jacob Stein, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, told newsmen here that American Jews support both President Nixon’s efforts on behalf of Soviet Jewry and the Jackson and Mills-Vanik amendments before the U.S. Congress which would link American trade concessions to Russia with the removal of Soviet restrictions on emigration.

Stein insisted that there was nothing contradictory in that position and stressed that there has been “absolutely no communication” between his organization and the Israeli government on the issue. “We neither asked for nor received advice from Israel. This is an internal political matter for U.S. Jews and their representatives,” Stein told reporters here Friday.

He described the meetings between President Nixon, his national security advisor, Henry Kissinger, and top U.S. Jewish leaders during the past two weeks as important because they took place. He said the Jewish leaders were encouraged by Nixon’s and Kissinger’s personal and continuing interest in the problem. Stein said that Nixon has not demanded that American Jews withdraw support from the Jackson Amendment.

He said the President merely reported to Jewish leaders on his own efforts and accomplishments for Soviet Jews and explained the worldwide benefits to be gained from the furthering of U.S.-USSR detente by the U.S. trade agreement with Russia. Stein said American Jews also wish to see the detente and open market conditions but insist that the Soviet Union observe the United Nations Charter of which it is a signatory.

Stein said that since the Jackson Amendment would not be voted on until next fall at the earliest, there was no paradox in American Jewry’s support for both the President’s policy and Jackson. He said he hoped that by next fall Nixon and Kissinger would be able to accomplish results for Soviet Jews through their continuing efforts.

Stein issued a written statement here signed by himself and by two other American Jewish leaders who met with Dr. Kissinger in Washington last Tuesday–Max Fisher, past president of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, and Richard Maass, chairman of the National Conference for Soviet Jewry. The statement was similar to the one the three leaders issued in Washington directly after their meeting with Kissinger. Stein said he was in Israel to represent American Jews at Israel’s 25th anniversary celebrations.