Speech #910008312

And. he continued: Repetition of the recent tragic event would be bound to make more difficult efforts within and outside the United Nations toward the goals of peace. tolerance and human understanding among nations and people in the Middle East and throughout the world. It seems to me that this situation calls for more than protest. Our existing immigration laws will permit the immigration of Jews from Iraq into this country. I am sure that many other countries would open their doors to members of the Jewish population of Iraq. I believe that our Government. in concert with other Governments of the world. should do all it can to facilitate the exodus of these people. If. as has been clearly stated by the Government of Iraq. the members of the Jewish community are distrusted. it would seem that Iraqi officials would have no objections to the Jewish population leaving at the earliest possible moment. The United Nations could well play a role. either directly or through utilization of its good offices. in working out a feasible departure plan for those Jews in Iraq who wish to leave. From the actions and statements of the Government of Iraq. the immigration of these 3.000 people should not be a matter of opposition. but rather an opportunity to eliminate a source of tension and disruption.