The Shah of Iran and his Foreign Minister told a U.S. Congressional delegation recently that Israel’s “existence must be recognized” and that “Palestine should be recognized as and independent state and become a member of the United Nations in the same manner as Israel.”
However, the Iranian leaders said, according to the Congressional report, that while “Iran believes that the lands occupied since 1967” should be returned “there is a question as to whom they should be returned.” According to the report, the Iranian leadership declared “The Rabat conference did not necessarily foreclose Jordan as representatives for the Palestinians.” The delegation report said that “Iran voted for the UN resolution on Zionism as a gesture of solidarity with the Arab bloc.”
The report was made by Sen. Thomas J. McIntyre (D.NH.). On the trip with him during the last ten days in November were Sen. Thomas Morgan (D.NC) and eight Republican and Democratic members of the House.
In reporting the delegation’s discussion with Israel’s Premier, the delegation said Yitzhak Rabin declared that Israel does not believe it has the right to decide who represents the Palestinians but that prospects for a solution of the Palestinian issue would be good if negotiated between Israel and Jordan.
Rabin also said, according to the report, that U.S. aid to Egypt serves the interests of the United States and not of Israel. “All it means to him is that Israel will be faced with U.S. rather than Soviet weapons in the event of war.” the report said “However, he does not oppose U.S. economic aid to Egypt.
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