Leaders representing the three major religious bodies in the United States met with Secretary of State Dean Rusk for more than an hour and a half this afternoon to express their concern about providing needed relief shipments to Biafra.
After conferring with Mr. Rusk, members of the Ad Hoc Interfaith Committee for Biafran Relief pledged continuing and active liaison with one another and appropriate Federal agencies. In their comments to Secretary Rusk, the delegation noted that “strong support has developed among their respective memberships for quick and generous actions on behalf of Biafrans.”
The delegation urged that the United States use its “political and moral strength to achieve settlement between the Federal State of Nigeria and Biafra for the expeditious shipment of relief supplies to those in need.”
The delegation included: Morris B. Abram, president, American Jewish Committee and the organization’s executive vice-president, Bertram H. Gold; Dr. Robert S. Bilheimer, director of international affairs program. National Catholic Conference; George M. Houser, executive director, American Committee on Africa; Dr. David R. Hunter, deputy general secretary. National Council of Churches In the U.S.A; Rabbi Jacob Philip Rudin, president, Synagogue Council of America; and Bishop Edward E. Swanstrom, executive director, Catholic Relief Services, U.S. Catholic Conference.
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