Secreatary-General Azzam Pasha of the Arab League today accused the U.S. of “meddling” in the Near East in behalf of Israel. He made the accusation in a speech before a National Press Club luncheon which was attended by leading press and radio correspondents, diplomatic representatives of the Arab States, and American Government officials, including George C. McGhee, Assistant Secreatary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.
Azzam Pasha threatened the western world with the possible loss of Arab support unless America shows a “greater understanding” of Arab problems. He said that the Arabs have “extended their hands” to the U.S. but that the U.S. has not talked directly of Arab-American relations but instead has come with “a Jewish problem, a British problem, and a French problem.”
Asked why the Arab League prevailed on Jordan not to make peace with Israel, Azzam Pasha replied that he was “not so sure” that was correct, as Jordan always told the Arab League that it could not think of peace with Israel until the problem of the Arab refugees is settled and “because Israel does not abide by United Nations decisions.”
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