In an effort to clarify President Carter’s remarks in The New York Times today, Presidential Press Secretary Jody Powell told reporters at the White House late this afternoon: “The President’s comment with respect to the American civil rights movement and the Palestinian issue related to a specific point in the Camp David accords, namely Section A, West Bank and Gaza, Paragraphs 3 and 4. The President made the point that he felt the right of return was important to Palestinians as a matter of principle, even though many would not choose to exercise it, as certain rights are important to certain Black citizens as a matter of principle.
“References to the civil rights movement in the context of the Palestinian issue underscores the personal views of the President and the position of the American government, in total opposition to terrorism and violence. The American civil rights movement was and continues to be successful largely because it is and continues to be nonviolent. The efforts of this and previous American Presidents have been directed toward the resolution of long-standing differences by peaceful means rather than through death and destruction.”
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