Reid Warns That Middle East Situation Faces Rapid Deterioration

Rep. Ogden Reid, Jr., New York Republican, warned here tonight that “the situation in the Middle East could deteriorate rapidly,” posing “a clear need for more affirmative United States leadership to prevent aggression and to keep the peace.” Mr. Reid was formerly United States Ambassador to Israel.

Rep. Reid made the statement at the opening session of the 18th biennial national convention of Pioneer Women, the women’s Labor Zionist organization. He also told the 600 delegates that the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee had indicated it would hold hearings soon on a concurrent resolution he had introduced during the present session, which would reaffirm the deep interest of the United States in the peace and stability of the Middle East area.

The Reid resolution would reiterate the “unalterable opposition” of the United States to the making of “inflammatory statements” by leaders or spokesmen of any state in the Middle East against any other state, aimed “at the overthrow of the legitimate government of any other state.” The resolution also would declare it to be the intention of the United States, on request of any Middle East country which considers itself threatened, immediately to take action, within or outside the United Nations, to prevent the threatened action and to preserve the peace in the area.

Mrs. Sidney Leff, Pioneer Women president, hailed the three-power unclear test ban pact as a first important step toward world peace. Beba Idelson, Deputy Speaker of Israel’s Parliament, and head of the Moetzet Hapoalot, the Israel sister-organization of Pioneer Women, said that Israel, together with all peace-loving nations, rejoiced over the signing of the nuclear test ban, adding that it was an important beginning toward mutual understanding among nations.