State Department is Asked for Action on Arab Blackmail of U.S. Firms

Senator Jacob K. Javits, dissatisfied with the answers of the State Department regarding the new onslaught of Arab boycott blackmail against American firms doing business with Israel, today requested from Secretary of State Christian Herter clarification on the action taken by the U. S. Government in this connection.

An estimated 500 American business firms have in recent weeks received ultimatums from the Arab boycott office in Damascus or the superintendent of boycott affairs in Kuwait. The New York Senator protested to Department of State against these pressures, however the answer apparently did not satisfy him. He now submitted to Secretary Herter five specific questions on this subject, implying that he recommends action along the lines of those questions. He asked:

1) Whether the U. S. Government has protested to the Government of Kuwait;

2) Whether the U. S., in its protest, has informed Kuwait that the boycott pressures are regarded by Washington as an unfriendly and unwarranted interference in U. S. internal affairs;

3) Has the U. S. specifically requested Kuwait to cease and desist from the practice of threatening American business firms?

4) Has the Government specified, for its own consideration, the measures which could be taken to meet this kind of situation – specifically the use of the U. S. mail for propaganda and threats by a non-registered foreign agent?

5) Does the U. S. recognize existence of a state of war between Israel and the Arab states, as claimed by the Government of Kuwait in its boycott letter?

The Department of State has repeatedly declared that the U. S. does not condone the boycott but has often indicated that there was not much the Department could do about it. The New York Senator, in his questions, has now pointed out specific measures which, in his opinion, should be taken and might prove effective.