Mayor John V. Lindsay of New York City today informed Rep. Bertram L. Podell, New York Democrat, that the city will not grant an official welcome honoring France’s President Georges Pompidou when he arrives next month. The Mayor responded to the Congressman’s request at a breakfast meeting here of the New York City congressional delegation. Rep. Podell, in a formal letter to the Mayor, had asked that new French arms policies be noted and Mr. Pompidou regarded as “an irresponsible merchant of death.” He urged that New York “show its dedication to international morality by refusing to accord any honor whatsoever to President Pompidou when he visits New York.”
Rep. Podell asserted that New York City homage to the French President “would make a mockery of the fine reception given Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir.” Rep. Podell who will boycott any congressional honors to Mr. Pompidou, said France “has embarked on a biased policy that is contemptuous of the security interests of the United States and Israel.” The development came as the State Department sought to build up a friendly climate for the Pompidou visit.
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