THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
NAACP Asks U.S. to Negotiate With PLO
NEW YORK (JTA) —
The National Association
for the Advancement of
Colored People (NAACP)
has called on the Carter
Administration "to re-
examine" the pledge given
to Israel four years ago bar-
ring the United States from
negotiation with the Pales-
tine Liberation Organiza-
tion until the PLO recog-
nized Israel's right to exist.
The appeal tb the Ad-
ministration was part of a
statement issued Monday at
the conclusion of the
NAACP's fall board meet-
ing.
"The NAACP." the
statement declared, "calls
upon the U.S. government
not to proscribe or limit the
participation of any bona
fide Middle East entity in
the pursuit of a just and
humane settlement of the
conflict or causes of conflict
in the region.
"Four years after
former Secretary of State
Henry Kissinger entered
into a secret agreement
with Israel barring direct
negotiations by the U.S.
with Palestinian officials
until the PLO recognized
Israel's right to exist, the
NAACP finds it impera-
tive to question the con-
tinuing wisdom of such
an arrangement given
present developments
and realities."
The NAACP, however,
rn»nl ad its call to the
Carter administration with
a call on the U.S. "never to
relent in its commitment to
the permanent existence of
Israel with secure and rec-
ognized borders." The
statement added that
NAACP supports the right
for "self-determination and
a homeland for the Palesti-
nian people."
Recalling the meeting of
black leaders in New York
on Aug. 22 where they de-
plored the "double
standard" used in judging
Ambassador Andrew
Young's meeting with
Zehadi Labib Terzi, the
PLO observer at the UN,
and U.S. Ambassador to
Austria Milton Wolf's meet-
ing with a PLO official in
Vienna, the NAACP board
said it fully endorsed the
statements adopted by the
black leaders.
The board's statement
also endorsed an Aug. 22
statement which supported
"the right of black Ameri-
cans to participate in the
development and execution
of U.S. foreign policy." The
NAACP also supported the
right of the Southern Chris-
tian Leadership Conference
(SCLC) and black citizens
and organizations "to eng-
age in dialogue with indi-
viduals and groups whose
actions have serious conse-
quences for them."
This was reference to the
meetina SCLC leaders held
with Terzi
b
prior to their
meeting with Israel's am-
bassador to the UN, Yehuda
Blum.
Continuing, the board -
statement declared: "The
NAACP notes with grave
concern the unending
reality of warfare and
violence in the Middle
East. This continuing de-
struction of life and
property daily not only
threatens to engulf the
region once more in full-
scale warfare, but it also
poses a severe danger to
the economies of the U.S.
and its principal allies
and to world peace.
, "The NAACP condemns
violence of whatever source
and calls upon those di-
rectly involved to begin
immediate, direct contacts
and negotiations in search
of peace. In this pursuit of
peace in the Middle East,
the NAACP will, as in the
past, work directly with the
U.S. government and its
representatives in promot-
ing the interests of this na-
tion and its people."
Benjamin L. Hooks, the
NAACP's executive direc-
tor, said, however, that
while .his organization had
"no intention of initiating
talks with the PLO, we
would urge the State De-
partment to talk with the
PLO."
Meanwhile, Hooks an-
nounced that steps were
under way to initiate
dialogue between the black
and Jewish communities
under the aegis of the Kivie
Kaplan Human Relations
'Institute. The Institute was
jointly established by the
NAACP and the Union of
American Hebrew Congre-
gations with a grant from
the Kaplan Family Charity
Trust started by the late
Kivie Kaplan, a Boston
industrialist who served as
national president of
NAACP from 1966 until his
death May 5, 1975.
The board's statement,
I Bring A Sword!
By PAUL ELDRIDGE
(Editor's note: Poet Paul Eldridge believes this
poem is as timely today as when it was written in
1945.)
To the beasts preying upon my people
To the hyenas mocking their grief
To the hounds barring their gates
To the ostriches burying heads -
To the crocodiles shedding tears
To the snakes hissing malignities
To the monkeys chattering diplomacies
To the asses braying profundities
To the cocks crowing prophecies
To the owls hooting defeat —
I BRING A SWORD!
Friday, September 14, 1979 25
New Director
LENNY
NEW YORK — Lynne
LIEBERMAN
which endorsed the be able to pursue the goals Ianniello, former executive
Orchestra
dialogue, urged that of equal
rights
in manager of the communica-
559-0844
Young's "resignation not strengthened cooperation." tions division of the Anti-
Quality Music
* *
Defamation League of Bnai
be permitted to become a
Disco Dance Instruction
Brith and editor of the
vehicle for the increase of
Floor Show
tension. To this end, we Jackson Invited "ADL Bulletin," has re-
(audience participation)
joined the ADL as -director
urge President Carter to to Meet Arafat
of the division.
ALL IN ONE
immediately give a full
NEW
YORK
—
Rep.
Paul
and clear explanation of
the reasons for the ac- R. Findley (R-Ill.) has deliv-
THE SOURCE FOR ALL WINDOW COVERINGS
ceptance of that resigna- ered an invitation to black
With Competitive Prices On Quality Products
leader
Jesse
Jackson
to
tion.
And A Reputation That Speaks For Itself
meet
with
Palestine
Libera-
"The NAACP feels that
Since 1952
FREE ESTIMATES
tion
Organization
chief
existing differences are not
Yasir
Arafat.
insurmountable. With con-
559•8209
Findley said the invita-
scientious effort and mutual
CUSTOM DRAPES VERTICAL and SUMLINE BUNDS
respect, both groups would tion "showed new Flexibil-
PLASTIC VIEW "SEE THR " SHADES - WOVEN WOODS
ity" by the PLO.
HURTIG INTERIORS
May
the NewYear
bring you
and your
loved ones
all the blessings
of Peace
Good Health
and
Prosperity