ZOA Head Warns Mideast Peace Talks Will Fail Unless U.S. Provides Safeguards

The head of the Zionist Organization of America cautioned President Nixon that by pressuring Israel back to the peace table, without new safeguards, such negotiations are doomed to failure and play directly into the Soviet Union’s policy to dominate the Middle East. Addressing the ZOA’s National Executive Committee last night. Herman L. Weisman called upon Mr. Nixon to end “a vacillating and indefinite American diplomacy towards the Soviet Union” which he said “must result in eliminating the United States as a force assuring peace in Europe and the Middle East.” He said that despite President Nixon’s “well intentioned” communication Friday to Israeli Premier Golda Meir, providing renewed American assurances and pledges, “will not curb the tensions in the Middle East which are increasing despite the renewed cease-fire.” Mr. Weisman noted that “America’s substantial aid to Israel may suffice to deter a fresh Arab aggression, but will not halt Russia’s design to dominate the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf.” Ambassador Netanel Lorch, member of the Israeli delegation to the United Nations General Assembly, told the ZOA that while Israel is interested in prolonging the cease-fire, “let no one think that we are willing to pay any price in order to see the cease-fire prolonged.” He declared “the cease-fire at any price, like peace at any price, ultimately defeats its purpose. We feel the prolongation of the cease-fire is in the interest of all concerned and is a necessary condition for meaningful negotiations.” Menachem Beigin leader of the Gahal in Israel, will be principle speaker and guest of honor at the annual banquet of the ZOA next Sunday. Mr. Weisman said the Zionist leader would deliver a major address to the more than 1,000 persons expected there.