House Mission Says Russia Suffered Setback but USA Did Not Gain in Six-day War

A special study mission of the House Foreign Affairs committee that visited Moscow late in 1967 reported today that Russia “suffered at least a temporary setback” as a result of the Six-Day War but the developments “cannot be considered an unqualified gain for our country.” The mission noted that “the United States lost considerable standing among the Arab states, even those with relatively moderate leadership.” The mission, representing the Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Europe, was headed by Rep. John C. Culver, Iowa Dem., and included Rep. Robert Taft, Jr., Ohio Rep., and Rep. John Buchanan, Ala. Rep.

Views were exchanged by the Congressmen with Soviet officials on the Middle East situation. It appeared to the mission that the outcome of the June war “did not add up to a net gain for the Russians. Soviet plans to extend their influence in the Middle East through the provision of military support for the Arab states suffered at least a temporary setback.” Notice was taken by the mission that the arms supply and subsequent resupply of the Arabs was “very expensive.” The Congressmen reported that “such an unprofitable enterprise is bound to have serious economic as well as possible political repercussions” in a nation like Russia that is striving to meet domestic needs.

The mission visited Chief Rabbi Yehuda Leib Levin in Moscow. It was observed that the synagogue visited was “almost the only synagogue still operating in that city of 6.5 million people, including an estimated 500,000 Jews.” The services attended were “an unforgettable experience.”

The three Congressmen said “We could not help but admire those who braved official displeasure in order to follow the dictates of their conscience. Even the obvious material poverty of their place of worship could not detract from the inspiration provided by their example.”