National Commander Daniel Heller of the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. informed President Kennedy today that while the JWV supports restoration of House cuts in the Foreign Assistance Bill, the organization is unalterably opposed to any further aid to the United Arab Republic because of President Nasser’s aggressive military expenditures.
Mr. Heller, in a letter to President Kennedy, cited Nasser’s August 11 statement that the UAR economic structure was now so “strong” that he could divert “12 per cent of our budget on the armed forces.” Nasser went on to announce preparations for war against Israel.
Commenting on State Department claims that the United States must continue massive aid to Nasser because America allegedly enjoys new “influence” in Cairo, Mr. Heller asked: “What evidence is there that we have such influence and that it has been effectively used?” He noted that in recent days both Egypt and Syria had perpetrated aggressive infiltrations into Israeli territory. “The border situation is more volatile than at any time in recent years,” said Mr. Heller, “Nasser and his Arab henchmen are growing bolder.”
Mr, Heller told the President, “Nasser’s economic structure is so heavily subsidized by American assistance programs that the UAR is able to spend lavish sums on rockets, for offensive purposes, and for the purchase of Soviet jet bombers and other Russian equipment as well as for the training of Egyptian officers in Soviet Union military bases… Even the financing of salaries of ex-Nazi technicians.”
The JWV served notice it would oppose assistance to the UAR until Nasser’s aggressive preparations were terminated.
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