The American Jewish Committee commended President Carter today for his announcement that the United States will immediately end all oil imports from Iran and pledged its “full cooperation in the President’s call for nationwide energy conservation.” The President made the announcement to the nation in a brief television address this afternoon. His action was in response to the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Teheran a week ago and the bolding of more than 60 Americans hostage there.
The President said he was ordering the discontinuance of oil purchases from Iran to stress America’s resolve not to bow to economic pressure anywhere. He said this would mean sacrifices for Americans and urged everyone to reduce their use of energy.
In a statement released shortly afterwards, Bertram H. Gold, executive vice president of the A JCommittee said. “We strongly commend President Carter for his courageous decision to end oil imports from Iran. At a time when the U.S. is being politically and economically blackmailed, the President’s action demonstrates that our nation will not be manipulated by those who would irresponsibly use their oil weapon as a lever of intimidation in international diplomacy.” Carter, in making his announcement, said the United States must resist terrorism and acts such as taking hostages.
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.
