Concern over the threat to Middle East security caused by proposed American military aid to Iraq and Saudi Arabia has been expressed by the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of International Organizations, it is learned here. In letters addressed to Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, both labor groups protested against American military aid to these countries because, they said, it would be ineffective in stopping Communism in the Middle East.
Walter Reuther, president of the C. I. O., cited a resolution adopted at the C.I. O. ‘s constitutional convention last November calling on the United States and the United Nations to pursue a policy leading to peace in the Middle East without impairing the legitimate rights of the countries concerned. The C. I. O. has consistently supported American efforts to develop firm defenses around the world in the face of possible aggression from the forces of Communism, Mr. Reuther continued, but these defenses would not be enhanced by granting arms to Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
Matthew Woll, AFL leader, said that the proposed aid “would incite violent disorder and increase the likelihood of the resumption of military hostilities in the Near East, specifically against the Republic of Israel. Nothing could give greater aid and comfort to the Communist enemies of the free world than the flaring up of new troubles in the Middle East.” Mr. Woll recalled that both Iraq and Saudi Arabia “have persisted in violent opposition” to the Tripartite Declaration of the U. S., Britain and France which called for full respect for existing boundaries and opposition to an arms race and the use of force.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
