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Jewish Veterans Commander Seeks to Visit U.S. Bases in Arab Lands

September 24, 1956
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National Commander William Carmen of the Jewish War Veterans has formally requested Defense Secretary Charles E. Wilson to facilitate a visit to the Dhahran Base in Saudi Arabia and other U. S. military installations in the Middle East.

The reply of the government, which now bars U. S. servicemen of Jewish faith from the Dhahran Base in response to Arab demands, has not yet been received. Mr. Carmen told Sec. Wilson he would also like to visit Western defense bases in Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Morocco and Libya.

The JWV commander’s projected tour was conceived because of the group’s “deep concern about Communist penetration in the Middle East.” He added: “As an outgrowth of this concern, our membership is keenly interested in the American defense structure in that vital area of the world. In order that I may bring home a first-hand report on this defense situation, I would appreciate arrangements being made to afford me the opportunity to visit bases in that area.”

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