Jewish Leaders Meet with Waldheim on Issue of Israeli Pows in Syria

Secretary General Kurt Waldheim has promised American Jewish leaders he will continue his efforts in behalf of Israeli prisoners of, war held by Syria, it was reported today. Jacob Stein, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, said a Jewish delegation had met for over an hour Tuesday evening with the UN official to convey the U.S. Jewish community’s “deep concern. over the refusal of the Syrian government to furnish a list of Israeli prisoners held and to permit visits by the International Red Cross.”

At the meeting, held in Waldheim’s office, “the Secretary General gave an account of his efforts to find a solution to this humanitarian problem and stated that these efforts would continue,” Stein said. He described the meeting as “frank and cordial,” adding: “Our delegation stressed that it was an act of elemental civilized conduct for a nation that claims to be a member of the family of nations to furnish the names of the war prisoners it holds captive. At the same time, we expressed to Mr. Waldheim the appreciation of the American Jewish community for the Secretary General’s continuing efforts on behalf of the Israeli prisoners in Syrian hands.”

Stein said the delegation also told Waldheim that Syria’s actions “constitute a danger to peace and are the proper concern of the United Nations.” Stein was accompanied by Rabbi Israel Miller, vice-chairman, and Yehuda Hellman, executive director of the Conference of Presidents. Waldheim was Joined in the meeting by Bradford Morse, Undersecretary General for Political and General Assembly Affairs, and George L. Sherry, principal officer.