The State Department has remonstrated with Iraq, as a result of an Iraqi diplomatic note urging steps to silence pro-Israel statements by Senator John F. Kennedy, Democratic Presidential nominee, it was disclosed today.
G. Lewis Jones, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, wrote the Jewish War Veterans of the U. S. on behalf of Secretary of State Herter. Responding to a JEWV protest against Arab intervention in the American election campaign, Mr. Jones said “our point of view with regard to the domestic character of our presidential election” was “made clear to the Iraqi authorities.” Mr. Jones told the JWV: “You may be assured that the Department would oppose any intervention in the domestic affairs of this country.”
Commenting on a recent Washington speech by Ambassador Mustafa Kamel, of the United Arab Republic, Mr. Jones said it “gave the Department concern, and this was brought to the Ambassador’s attention.”
Ambassador Kamel had denounced the American Jewish community and called on the estimated 4,000 Arab students here on temporary visas to enter American election activity. He urged the students to propagandize against candidates, including Senator Kennedy. who support Israel. The JWV had protested both the UAR Ambassador’s speech and the Iraqi action. The Iraqi anti-Kennedy note was handed to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
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