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Mra. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT - KAST the THINK NEW YORK 11. N. Y. January 13, 1956 Dear Mr. President: I am sure that you feel as I do that the situation in the Near East 1s highly critical, largely brought about through Soviet planning and action, and if they succeed in getting rid of our bases in North Africa and getting rid of Israel which 1s the only democratic area in the Near East which can make a stand against them, they will have a bridge to Pakistan, India, and the rest of Asia. Because I feel this way, I have listened to the suggestion from some of my friends in the Jewish community that a sig- nificant statement by a few people would carry more weight than some of the statements which are being made today with a great many signatures attached. The enclosed statement has been carefully worked out and I an sending it to you, to Walter Reuther and to George Meany hoping that you might all be willing to sign it if you think it is a wise move at this time. If there are any changes which you think wise, we would of course want you to make them. If you don't think it wise, you