Thousands Join In Pompidou Protest

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32235, 2 March 1970, Page 13

Thousands Join In Pompidou Protest

(hl .Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright >

CHICAGO, March 1.

President Pompidou last night ran into thousands of demonstrators protesting against the sale of Mirage jets to Libya.

A crowd estimated at between 8000 and 10,000 —mainly Jews from Chicago and its suburbs, and Israeli supportersbooed the French leader as the police formed a wedge round him and Mrs Pompidou to get them into a hotel for a dinner in their honour. As Mr Pompidou’s car drew to a halt at the main hotel entrance hundreds of demonstrators surged forward chanting, “boo, boo Pompidou” and “to hell with you, Pompidou." It was the noisiest demonstration the French President

has encountered during his visit to the United States. Noisy and vociferous though they were, the demonstrators never appeared bent on physical violence, but hundreds of protesters pushed against police lines as the car’s door was opened. More than a dozen uniformed police immediately jumped forward and surrounded the President. They formed a wedge round him, cleared a path and quickly escorted him and Mrs Pompidou into a hotel. The President appeared momentarily startled and his face flushed as he was whisked across the pavement. New York Visit Tight security measures will go into force later today when Mr Pompidou arrives in New York from Chicago. Several Jewish and proIsraeli organisations and publications have called for vociferous demonstrations against French policies in the Middle East. Mass protests against the Mirage sales are expected outside United. Nations headquarters, where Mr Pompidou will have talks with the Secre-tary-General (U Thant) tomorrow. Later demonstrations are also expected outside the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Beause of approaching

[elections for the New York [ State Governor and Congress, [in which New York’s huge 'Jewish community will play |a leading role, the Governor i (Mr Nelson Rockefeller), the Mayor (Mr John Lindsay), and all New York Congressmen are boycotting the visit. Security Check A tight security net was clamped on United Nations headquarters yesterday and all invitations and passes connected with the visit were submitted to intensive checking. Mr Pompidou will be accompanied on his visit to United Nations headquarters by the French Foreign Minister (Mr Maurice Schumann) and Mr Armand M. Xerard, France's permanent representative to •the linited Nations. He is expected to give priority to the Middle East situation during 50 minutes of talks with U Thant. In the evening, Mr Pompidou will deliver what is expected to be a major economic) speech during a banquet in his honour at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Although New York City and State officials have declined invitations io attend, the United States Government will be represented by Vice-President Spiro Agnew.