Presidents Conference Leader Critical of Recent Developments in U.S. Middle East Policy

Rabbi Israel Miller, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, indicated today his dissatisfaction with recent developments in America’s Mideast policy. Addressing a press conference, Rabbi Miller said that he has feelings of “malaise” and “uneasiness” over U.S. policy in the Mideast, especially about the way it has been developing since the beginning of this month.

Citing the use of the term “disengagement” in President Ford’s and King Hussein’s communique Sunday which promised early action toward an agreement between Israel and Jordan Rabbi Miller said it was the wrong word to use. He also expressed anxiety about the manner in which Hussein and Egyptian Foreign Minister Ismail Fahmy were received in Washington. There were indications that the U.S. is being “too friendly” to the Arabs, Rabbi Miller said, noting that American statements after the meetings with the two Arab leaders went “beyond good friendship.”

Rabbi Miller said, however, that he “takes Kissinger at his word” and believes his statement that the U.S. won’t decide on further steps in the Mideast until talks have been held with all representatives for the area. But Rabbi Miller did not exclude a situation in the future in which his organization would have to undertake a campaign against U.S. policy in the Mideast.

But, Rabbi Miller emphasized, “the Presidents Conference has not noticed any shift in U.S. policy” in regard to Israel and any campaign at this time against U.S. policy in the Mideast “might not be merited and even harmful.” The only differences with Kissinger, he said, is that “we do not accept his assumption that war will be catastrophic for Israel. There are no differences on actions that have been taken up to date.”

LESSONS OF CYPRUS CRISIS

Referring to lessons of the Cyprus crisis and its implications for Israel, Rabbi Miller pointed out that events in the war-torn island have shown “the impotence of the UN” and the fact that “the U.S. is not omnipotent.”

“It causes us concern,” he said, pointing out that the mystique of Kissinger has worn off and that the nation with military power presents facts–as Turkey has done–and the world accepts it. The lesson of Cyprus is that the U.S. has to strengthen Israel militarily, economically and diplomatically, Rabbi Miller said. He also expressed concern over the massive supply of Soviet arms to Syria.

On the issue of Soviet Jewry emigration, Rabbi Miller reiterated that “substantial progress” has been achieved. Although he declined to give details on the progress made in discussions between Kissinger and Senators Henry M. Jackson (D.Wash.), Jacob K. Javits (R.NY) and Abraham Ribicoff (D.Conn.), Rabbi Miller noted that much of those discussions are centered around the definition of “harassment” and on what happens to Jews in the Soviet Union after they apply for exit visas.

“We told them we are interested in free emigration,” Rabbi Miller said, commenting on the Presidents Conference’s part in the discussions conducted by the Senators. “The only restriction on emigration that we accept is ‘for security reasons.’ which also should be defined,” he said.