State Dept. Says Intervention with Moscow on Matzoh is Undesirable

A New York Congressman, who had appealed for official United States intervention on behalf of Soviet Jews who face a Passover without matzoh, was told by the State Department today that any action by this Government would “not only fail in its purpose, but might well cause difficulties” for the Jews of the Soviet Union.

Responding to a request last week by Democratic Congressman Leonard Farbstein that the U.S. seek Russian agreement to allow importation of American-offered matzoh, the Department said that information it has received from American Jewish leaders who have visited the Soviet Union makes it “doubtful” that Russian Jews would even want such official representations made on their behalf. Rep. Farbstein was told that, on the basis of the Department’s knowledge of the situation, indications are that Soviet Jews would fear “becoming involved in difficulties with the Soviet Government, should they accept the gift.”

The State Department said the “most effective” approach would be appeals made directly “on an unofficial basis” by American Jewish leaders and American Jewish organizations. “Such appeals,” said the Department, “should be limited to a request for the resumption of the sale of matzohs rather than their importation.” The Department said it was highly unlikely that the Soviet Government would permit the imporration “of a food which has apparently been banned.”

The Department’s reply said that American Embassy sources in Moscow “have been unable to confirm” reports of the ban on matzoh-baking, but that it does have confirmation of the announcement by Moscow’s Chief Rabbi that Passover this year would “be difficult” for Soviet Jews. “If the reports are true,” the State Department told Mr. Farbstein, “it is another example of the technique the Soviet Government is using to frustrate religious observance in the Soviet Union.”