U.S. Urged Not to Support Nasser for Seat in Security Council

The American Jewish Committee today urged the United States Government not to support the selection of the United Arab Republic to the United Nations Security Council until that country “pledges itself to do everything in its power to pursue the goal of peace.”

The statement, which was adopted by the Committee’s executive board and made public here today, stressed that President Nasser of the United Arab Republic had “just announced his intention to destroy the state of Israel by war.” On this basis, the resolution stated that to elect the United a Arab Republic to the Security Council unless it complies with the basic principle of the United Nations–“which is the preservation of peace”–would “make a mockery of the very existence of the United Nations.”

The resolution further called for direct discussions between the United Arab Republic and Israel aimed at resolving problems “of mutual concern” and establishing peace in the Middle East. It pointed out that the United Arab Republic had called for such direct conversations between the United States and the Soviet Union on questions which presently divide the two countries.

The Committee’s executive board reaffirmed its belief that “a cessation of the arms race” in the Middle East would “contribute greatly” to a “firm and lasting peace” in the area. It cited President Eisenhower’s recommendation to limit the supply of arms to troubled areas in connection with Africa as applying equally to the Middle East.

(In Washington, Senator Jacob K. Javits, New York Republican, today called on Undersecretary of State C. Douglas Dillon in a last-minute attempt to dissuade the State Department from supporting the seating of the United Arab Republic on the United Nations Security Council.)