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Special to the JTA Brown Hits Administration for Leaning on Israel

October 12, 1979
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California Governor Edmund Brown, Jr., speaking before several hundred students at Columbia University yesterday, charged the Carter Administration as being inconsistent with the Camp David accords by placing "all the pressure only on Israel." Brawn, who has yet to declare formally his can didacy for the Democratic nomination for President, called on all Americans to understand that beyond a "moral commitment" the State of Israel is "of great strategic value and importance to the United States. "

Brown also rejected current demands for U.S. recognition and negotiation with the Palestine Liberation Organization "as long as they are bent on the destruction of Israel and refuse to accept ( UN Security Council ) Resolution 242. " Asked to comment on the recent trip of Rev. Jesse Jackson to the Middle East and apparent tensions between Blacks and Jews, Brown declared that "one can’t interfere with a private person’s trip . . . . Any citizen can leave the country–that is what the First Amendment is all about. "

In response to a query on Israel’s involvement with South Africa, Brown said that while he doesn’t condone it "there is a miniscule amount of trade between Israel and South Africa and this country has more ties with South Africa than Israel, which is 39th on the list. "

After stating his view supporting "Israel’s right to maintain unified authority over the city of Jerusalem" he also rejected the lifting of the trade embargo with the Soviet Union until "we have reasonable assurances of emigration rights. "

PROPOSES NATIONAL OIL IMPORT AUTHORITY

Brown, in this first visit of the year to students in the New York area, received loud applause after his statements on the Middle East. The audience also reacted enthusiastically to a four point energy program he proposed "to lift the stranglehold which the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries has on this country."

Suggesting a National Oil Import Authority Brown stated "every barrel of oil would be purchased by the federal authorities and negotiated by private companies. " He suggested the setting up of a "Federal Energy Development Corporation" to manage all the "energy on public lands" and called upon the President to "establish a National Commission on the Structure of the Petroleum Industry" to consist of economists, conservationists and members of the oil industry.

Brown pointed out that four years ago he proposed that "the President be given the authority to nominate public individuals — laymen — to the board of directors of the multi national oil companies" and reiterated his support of that proposal.

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