Nixon Expresses Condolences in Personal Letter to Mrs. Meir

President Nixon in a letter today to Premier Golda Meir expressed his “personal condolences to the Israeli people in this time of mourning” over the murders by Arab terrorists of school children and others in Maalot yesterday. White House Deputy Press Secretary Gerald Warren announced the letter at his news conference and made the text available. It says:

“Our sorrow for the tragic loss of so many of Israel’s children at Maalot cannot be expressed in words. Mrs. Nixon and I, along with all Americans, grieve with you and with the parents and schoolmates of those who died. This senseless act of terrorism has underscored once again the need for true peace in the Middle East. I can assure you that our efforts towards this goal will not waver. Please extend. Madam Prime Minister, my personal condolences to the Israeli people in this time of mourning.”

Warren was asked by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency whether the President would carry out the Senate’s unanimous resolution that urged him and Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger to call upon all governments to condemn the Arab attack and urge the countries where terrorists are found to rid their countries of them.

DEPLORES TERRORISTS’. ISRAEL’S ACTIONS

Warren, after referring to the U.S. activity towards stamping out international terrorism, said that “beyond that our position and our actions should make it clear that we respect the sentiments in the Senate resolution.” Warren deplored, in response to questions from other newsmen, the “continuing cycles of violence” in the Middle East and said that included the Israeli retaliation against Palestinian camps in Lebanon. Violence, he said, “can only obstruct peaceful settlement in the Middle East. Beyond that, because of the delicate current situation in the Middle East. I cannot comment.”