Dept. of Commerce Tries to Help U.S. Firms on Arab Blacklist

The United States Department of Commerce today made known that many firms had requested information on “the nature and practices” of the Arab boycott, and that the Department has endeavored to assist blacklisted companies. Rep. Leonard Farbstein. New York Democrat, who had written to the Commerce Department on this issue, said today he will press for early action on his bill and companion measures, seeking to amend the Export Control Act to include provisions for resisting the Arab boycott.

In a letter to Rep. Farbstein, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on foreign economic policy. Thomas G. Wyman, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Domestic and International Business, told of difficulties experienced by American business as a result of the Arab boycott. The letter was in response to an inquiry by the Congressman on the extent to which American firms have been limited in their foreign commerce by restrictive Arab boycott measures.

The Department of Commerce said that, because the United States Government does not recognize the boycott, no list of boycotted firms could be provided. According to Mr. Wyman, the Commerce Department receives requests for advice from firms asked by the Arabs to provide information on their dealings with Israel. “Most firms naturally regard this as an unwarranted intrusion into their private business affairs,” he stated.

Mr. Wyman said that the majority of firms respond according to their own business interests, and do not advise the Commerce Department of their final action. However, he declared, blacklisted firms ask assistance. Such cases, he added, are reviewed and “then, through the Foreign Service, we make representations against the boycott action to the government of the appropriate Arab state.” Mr. Wyman noted: “We feel that there has been success through this type of approach.”