A conference of 51 “non-aligned” nations of Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America ended here yesterday with a communique demanding “the full restoration of the rights of the Arab people of Palestine to their usurped homeland.” The communique, in identical language, called for the withdrawal of all foreign troops from South Vietnam and for Israel’s withdrawal from all territories-it occupied in June, 1967.
Prior to adopting its communique, the conference heard a specially invited spokesman for the Palestine Liberation Organization, Khaled Yasharuti, who described his movement as “soldiers for freedom.” He said the PLO would continue to “bear the brunt” of the burden of “liberating Palestine Arabs now enslaved within the boundaries of the Israel State” but would welcome any aid the “non-aligned” nations could render. Mr. Yasharuti accused Israel of “acts of genocide against the Palestine population.” A spokesman for the conference described his appearance as “an historic event.”
At a press conference later, the PLO spokesman said his group disowned any statements by any Arab leaders, including Egypt’s President Gamal Abdel Nasser, that Arab recognition of Israel was possible under certain circumstances. He said Palestine Arabs want an independent secular state in which the rights of all inhabitants would be guaranteed including Jews born there–but not those who have come to settle.
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