November 10, 1973, Page 13 The New York Times Archives

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9—Senator J. W. Fulbright endorsed Secretary of State Kissinger's Middle East policy today and attacked Senator Henry M. Jackson's challenge to the policy of accommodation with the Soviet Union.

An aide to Mr. Fulbright said that his Senate speech reflected Mr. Kissinger's thinking on both the Middle East and improved relations with Moscow. He added, however, that the Senator had not discussed the speech with Mr. Kissinger.

Senator Jackson immediately answered Senator Fulbright with a press release. Senators and aides felt that recent statements by the two men would Mark the poles around which forthcoming debates on foreign affairs would take place.

In his speech, Senator Fulbright argued that the central requirement was an over‐all peace settlement now “before another military truce hardens into another untenable and illusory status quo.”

“Great concessions will be required on both sides,” he added.

Mr. Fulbright, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, declared that the Arabs could not expect to have “every inch of the territories lost in 1967 restored in a final settlement.”

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As for the Israelis, he said time was no longer on their side and they were going to have to reconcile themselves to compromise.

Territorial adjustments demanded by Israel should not be substantial, he declared.

Senator Jackson, Democrat of Washington, has not spoken in detail about a Mideast territorial settlement, but is known to believe that it should be left to the Arabs and Israel. He is also said to feel that the Arabs and the Russians should not be rewarded with concessions since they started the war.

A Warning on Oil

Senator Fulbright said that it was up to Washington, Moscow and the United Nations “to apply whatever degree of persuasion we can, or whatever degree of pressure we must, to bring about a compromise peace”

On the oil issue, Mr. Fulbright said the Arabs must treat their oil wealth as an “international responsibility.” Otherwise, he said powerful industrial nations may retaliate.

On accomniodation with the Soviet Union, the Senator aimed directly at Senator Jackson, calling him one of “our redoubtable cold warriors.” He said attacks on détente were “not only inflammatory but sterile.” The alternative to accommodation, he maintained, is a return to the cold war.

“Instead of holding the advocates of détente to an exacting, if not impossible, standard, the detractors ought to be required to show that they have something better to offer,” Mr. Fulbright argued. He implied that the policy had, been misunderstood to mean that superpower rivalry no longer existed.

Differences will persist, he said, and “détente in its essence is an agreement not to let these differences explode into nuclear war.”

Senator Jackson has contended that the policy has not been misunderstood, but oversold by the Administration. In a speech several weeks ago, he said that Senator Fulbright “is beguiled by the Soviets, and Dr. Kissinger believes that he is beguiling them.” He argued that an illusory détente would only invite Soviet recklessness.

Senator Jackson asserted that accommodation would become real only when the Soviet Union's form of government was sufficiently open to inspire confidence and trust. He submitted legislation that would deny special trading status and financial credits to the Soviet Union until it allows the free emigration of its Jewish citizens and others.

Mr. Fulbright, in criticizing this approach, said, “The best we can do to advance the cause of liberties within the Soviet Union is to build an international atmosphere of security and cordiality—through trade, investment and arms control.”

Since being confirmed as Secretary of State, Mr. Kissinger is said to have been in close communication with. Senator Fulbright on foreignpolicy issues. The two were opponents on many issues during the first years of the Nixon Administration.

Like many Senators, Mr. Fulbright has drawn closer to Mr. Kissinger in recent months as President Nixon's domestic difficulties have worsened. Senator Jackson, a possible contender for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 1976, has been increasingly critical of the Administration on nationalsecurity affairs.

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