Harman Presents Israel’s Views at N.C.R.A.C. National Conference; Hits Russia

Ambassador Avraham Harman scored the Soviet Union today for "inversions of logic" in seeking to invoke punitive measures against Israel in the United Nations. In an address opening the plenary session of the National Community Relations Advisory Council, he derided the Soviet posture of assisting "peace-loving nations" after having squandered $3,000,000,000 on arms and military aid to Egypt and Syria, while having allocated "not a penny" to assist refugees "who have been helpless victims of Arab aggression."

The ambassador charged the Soviet Union, by continuing sea and air shipments of military supplies was now engaged in re-equipping Egypt’s army and air force. Condemning demands for Israel’s unconditional withdrawal from occupied territory as a "withdrawal to war." Mr. Harman said that Israel’s stance calling for direct peace negotiations with the Arab states "is a test of whether the United Nations will put its Charter to work." A specific of the Charter, he emphasized, is that "parties in conflict must settle their disputes through peaceful negotiations."

The envoy told 300 delegates, representing the nine negotiations and 79 local community councils, which are the constituents of NCRAC, that calls for Israel’s withdrawal as a precondition to future action by the Security Council should be judged against the pattern of Soviet vetoes or threats of vetoes that have in the past denied Israel her water rights, shipping through the Suez Canal, security from Syrian border terrorism and other rights of sovereignty.

He said it was "realistic" to believe that direct negotiations can be initiated, pointing out that this was done when the armistice agreements were made in 1949. To ask otherwise, he said, "is like asking is it realistic to believe in peace?"