Washington Report, May 17, 1982, Page 2

Intimidation Will Get You Nowhere

On Thursday, May 6, John Law, the Editor of this newsletter, received a threatening telephone call, hinting that his physical safety was in danger, and warning that he should "watch out."

On the following day, another person whose work is unconnected with the newsletter but whose name appears on its masthead, was assaulted and injured near his home by two "muggers" who took neither his money nor his credit cards-only his personal papers.

Both the Editor and his colleague are employed by the American Educational Trust, which carries out a number of activities that are related only in that they all attempt, within the limits of their medium, to throw light on issues concerning the Middle East.

The newsletter and the Referral Service are related only in that each attempt, within the limits of its medium, to throw light on issues concerning the Middle East.

The newsletter, which is run independently by its Editor, tries to present information and analysis of Middle East events in a factual and balanced way. Its analysis does not always conform to the conventional wisdom on the meaning of what is happening. But if the conventional wisdom were always wise, there would be no need for independent thought. The newsletter does have its point of view on the rights and wrongs of government policies, which it expresses in the section headed "Editorials." But it has no axe to grind, and does not deliberately tilt in one direction or another without regard to the facts of the case. When the facts of a given issue change, the newsletter's point, of view will undoubtedly change. As an American publication, it does have one bias, however-it would like to see Middle East issues approached in a way that will benefit the interests of the people of the United States, while being consistent with their standards of justice and fair play.

It is sad that even in the U.S., with its traditions of free speech, there are still people who, when it comes to Middle East issues, will use force and threats of force to try to prevent the dissemination of ideas they do not like. The man who threatened Mr. Law and the two men who assaulted another member of the organization's staff were presumably hoping to deter them from doing their work. This is not going to happen. But even if it did, the perpetrators would not be achieving their objectives. There are plenty of others who believe in the same things as Mr. Law and his colleague. This means that whatever happens to individuals, the newsletter will keep being published and the other activities of the organization will continue to be carried out.

—The American Educational Trust