Won’t Face Facts Presidents Conference Chides Ata for Hedging on Boycott of Countries Aiding Air Pra

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations charged today that the members of the Air Transport Association “remain unwilling to face up to the hard fact that they must act to protect their planes and their passengers” from skyjackers. “They seem eager,” the Conference said, “to attempt any device that improves air security except do the one thing that already is in their power and that can produce immediate results,” namely, “indefinitely denying air services to any country that gives sanctuary or encouragement to air terrorists.”

Phil Baum, assistant executive director of the American Jewish Congress, issued the charge following a meeting today with Paul R. Ignatius, executive vice president of the Air Transport Association, and four aides. Baum was accompanied by Jacob Clayman, administrative director of the Jewish Labor Committee; Ben Chasin, assistant national executive director of the Jewish War Veterans, and Denise Tourover, a member of the national board of the American Zionist Federation.