A Lebanese pledge given to U.S. officials in Washington to admit, without regard to race or creed, all delegates and observers to the forthcoming general conference of UNESCO opening in Beirut on Nov. 17 may soon be tested if, as is presently indicated, Israel seeks to send observers to the meeting.
On Oct. 20 Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs George V. Allen, prompted by press reports that Lebanese discrimination against Jews and a policy of blocking visas for them might force the meeting to be shifted to another country, called the Lebanese Charge d’Affaires in Washington for an explanation.
The Lebanese official here, Howard Vickery, State Department UNESCO liaison man told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today, reaffirmed to Allen at that time an earlier pledge to admit all delegates and observers to the UNESCO meeting without discrimination or regard to race or creed.
Present indications here are that Israel will seek to sand observers to the UNESCO meeting to test the strength of the Lebanese promises as made to Allen. It is believed that Lebanon will not jeopardize her chances to be host at the important UNESCO conference, a role that will bring her considerable prestige, in order to exclude the Israeli observers.
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