A Jewish communal leader expressed “confidence” yesterday that Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger and Sen. Henry M. Jackson (D.Wash.) could, “if they will it.” conciliate differences between the Jackson Amendment and the Administration’s efforts toward detente with the Soviet Union. “I have confidence in (their) ability to find a formula to preserve the integrity of both positions,” Philip M. Klutznick. of Chicago. a former president of B’nai B’rith and one-time U.S. Ambassador at the United Nations, told the B’nai B’rith Women’s triennial convention. “They are both astute, able and committed Americans.”
Addressing some 1000 delegates. Klutznick said the Jewish community “owes a deep debt of gratitude” to Jackson. Rep. Charles Vanik (D.Ohio) “and their supporting colleagues for what they did for the many Russian Jews who secured freedom. But now the Secretary of State, whose actions before, during and since the Yom Kippur War merit our approbation, insists that the Jackson-Vanik Amendment will deter Russian emigration instead of facilitating it. He has earned some benefit of doubt.”
Klutznick urged that the “delicate and trouble some dilemma” be resolved in a way that maintains “the humane proposition of Jackson and Vanik. the need for detente and the key role of trade if we are to facilitate detente.” Neither a “return to the cold war nor to closed Soviet emigration doors is in the interest of the United States, the Soviet Union. Israel, or the Jewish people.” he said.
Mayor Ray Butler of Austin proclaimed today Helen Smith Day in honor of the new international president of the B’nai B’rith Women. Mrs. Smith is one of Austin’s leading citizens. She was elected international president last night by a unanimous vote.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
