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a NSIS ic NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ARAB AMERICANS 1825 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 211, Washington, D.C. 20009 202-797-7757 \ February 19, 1980 DTSINE SOS Mr. William H. Webster Director Federal Bureau of Investigation Sth and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC aan bhp e Resp Ke I am writing to request a meeting between you and represen- jtatives of the National Association of Arab Americans (NAAA) jconcerning press reporting on ABSCAM, the FBI's recent under- cover investigation. Our concern is not the substance of the Jinvestigation but rather the use of an Arab-related “cover Story" that has deepened anti-Arab prejudice because it rein- | forced the familiar stereotype of Arabs as high-spending people i\with low moral values. We are less disturbed by the possibility | of a decision to "stick it to the Arabs" than that it may never have occurred to the planners that ABSCAM was prejudicial and likely to damage American relations with the Arab world. Dear Mr. Webster: I would not be candid if I were not to say that the FBI has Poor reputation in the Arab-American community. This view iby people who pride themselves on their loyalty to the United States stems from FBI activities such as "Operation Boulder| ithat may have had a valid objective but that ended up violat ithe civil rights of American citizens of Arab ancestry. jlWe believe that an informal discussion with you would be mutuhlY beneficial and perhaps help clear the air. It is in the interest Vor the FBI to have the confidence of the American people as well: jas to understand more about relating to communities that seem | to be unduly on the receiving end. \ We would anticipate bringing four or five individuals in our group. We would appreciate it if your office could give us a call so that we can arrange a time to meet. | & ye OF ATIC \\ Executive Director 2 F284 1990 Joanne McKenna, President ee eee ee Dr ee Tames: NAAA Board Thank you. Regards, AJ.R. AbiNader cc: we N 4 i580 “—="-=-Thomas Abraham, Maryland Paul Ajlouny, New York Vic Ajlouny, California Abid Al-Mareyati, Ohio Violet Asha, Maryland Bill Aossey, towa Mohamed A. Baghal, New Jersey Cherif Bassiouni, Diinois * Joseph D. Baroody, Washington, DC Frederic Cadora, Ohio Gerald G. Decker, Pennsyvania George A. Doumani, Washington, D *Frank Maw, New Hampshire Joanne McKenna, Ohio Rev. Fr. Paul Mouawad, California George R. Najemy, Massachusetts Muhamad Najjab, Pennsylvania ‘Abdallah E. Najjar, Georgia George A. Nassif, Michigan Virginia Piendak, Pennsyivania Richard J. Razook, Florida Mike Saah, Virginia L. David Sabbagh, Ohio Sandra C. Sabbagh, indana hidj B, Sabouni, California EX A Sahley, Ohio “ F. Sams, Washington, DC smmmume Shery! Saunders, Texas *Cherif Sedky, Washington, DC Anis Nick Shamiyeh, Califonia “Hisham Sharabi, Washington, DC Alexander A. Simon, Jr, Georgia *Peter Tanous, Maryland Ibrahim Tawasha, California Robert W. Thabit, New York James Zogby, Pennsylvania "Executive Committee Members