UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim was urged today to place on the agenda of the UN Conference on Disarmament the question of the arming of non-governmental groups which then use their weapons to terrorize “innocent people; engage in hijackings, kidnappings and inflict physical destruction on civilians not engaged in military conflict.” The plea came from Bernard Backer, president of the Workmen’s Circle, the 78-year-old Jewish fraternal order which opened its biennial convention here. The convention, which ends Sunday, has included 900 delegates and guests from the major urban centers of the United States and Canada.
President Carter, in a message to the convention, said, as one familiar with the group’s work, “I value your strong leadership as a positive force in the social and human rights objectives I have set for our nation.”
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.