Vice President George Bush said Wednesday that he is in favor of an international conference for peace in the Middle East, provided that the conference is designed to bring about direct negotiations between Israel and Jordan.
But, the Vice President stressed that he would object to such a conference if it would bring the Soviet Union into the peace process and the Mideast.
Bush made his remarks at a Republican Presidential candidates’ forum at the Four Seasons Hotel here, sponsored and organized by the National Jewish Coalition (NJC). He said that while he is aware of the differences between Premier Yitzhak Rabin and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres on the issue of an international conference, he generally welcomes the idea as part of the search for a solution in the Mideast. Peres favors an international conference while Shamir is opposed.
In reply to a question by NJC Board member Dr. Mordechai Hacohen, whether the U.S. plans to demand of the United Nations that it open to the public its files on suspected Nazi war criminals, Bush said he is not fully aware of the Administration’s action in this matter but promised to look into it.
Two others who are seeking the Republican nomination as candidates for the Presidency, former Secretary of State Alexander Haig and Rep. Jack Kemp of New York, vowed their continued support for Israel and their commitment to Israel’s security and well-being.
Kemp vowed that as President he will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, move the American Embassy, presently in Tel Aviv, to Jerusalem, and appoint former UN Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick, a staunch supporter of the Jewish State, as his Secretary of State.
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