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German Holocaust Survivors Group Condemns Bonn-saudi Arms Deal

April 22, 1981
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— The Frankfurt-based Federation of Jewish Holocaust Survivors published an advertisement in leading West German newspapers yesterday condemning the Bonn government’s plans to sell highly sophisticated weaponry to Saudi Arabia. They warned that such a move would only result in further Arab oil blackmail. The text of the ad reminded West Germans that Saudi Arabia reiterated its call for a holy war against Israel only a few weeks ago. It stated that the use of German arms to attack Israel would not make Germany’s oil supplies more secure.

Meanwhile, officials here said that no final commitment on arms deliveries could be expected before or during Chancellon Helmut Schmidt’s visit to Saudi Arabia, beginning April 27. Schmidt received three Saudi Arabian journalists yesterday to explain his position on arms sales to the Middle East. No details of the interview were made available. Schmidt had told German editors earlier that Israel does not have the right to influence Bonn’s relations with Saudi Arabia.

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