Ajcongress Asks Federal Agencies to Release Documents on the PLO

— The American Jewish Congress has asked the federal government to release all its unclassified documents on the Palestine Liberation Organization and its personnel and supporters in this country.

In a sweeping Freedom of Information Act request made to more than 100 agencies of five Cabinet departments and the Central Intelligence Agency, the AJCongress stated that the release of the information was in the public interest because the PLO is an “avowed terrorist organization, and the nature and extent of its infiltration into American institutions are relevant to important issues of domestic and foreign policy.”

In legal papers filed in support of the request, lawyers for the AJCongress point out that the PLO “engages in terrorist activities which are contrary to the interests and policies” of the U.S. and that its “chief purpose is to destroy the State of Israel.” An analysis and dissemination of information on the PLO in the government’s files will be useful in alerting the public to these threats, said Nathan Dershowitz, director of AJCongress’ Commission on Law and Social Action.

The request seeks “all writings of any kind,” including directives, memoranda, letters, reports, studies, pamphlets, handwritten notes and other agency records dating from 1968 and dealing with not only the PLO itself but such affiliated organizations as Al Fatah, As Saiqa, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and Black September.

The documents sought are those pertaining to PLO assets and activities, its contributions and supporters, its personnel and any contacts it has had with U.S. officials.

The requests have been made of the Departments of State, Defense, Treasury, Justice, Commerce, and the FBI.