</s>U. S. INFORMATION AGENCY OUTGOING' MESSAGE - VIA LIMITED OFFICIAL USE TELEORAPH Classification 1 SENT TO: CIRCULAR PRIORITY (origin 10/0/C - 1-1 USIA- Info. 12120 COMMUNICATION SPECIALS: USIA-07-4-0-4 I/O-2 USIA I/A SUBJECT- I/AF I/AE REFERENCE- 1. The following guidance has been transmitted to USIA media: IAE IAE IAE 2. All strata of American society are shocked and horrified by the Kennedy IOP TIPS TIPS TAS shooting. From the President and his official family to the lowest members of the national community, all share the deepest compassion for the STATE NSA Kennedy family. In the words of President Johnson, we all pray for the JUS Senator's recovery. NSC-9 3. It can be expected that once the initial statements of shock, horror and grief have been made, there may be a flurry of extremist and interpretate statements, statements critical of "a stick society" which can generate such assassinations. These should be used only in direct ratio to the importance of their authors. 4. As in the death of John Kennedy, many in the world again will regard Dirt, Desired today's tragic shooting in terms of a conspiracy. We cannot and should not (Offices Only) be in a position of adding to, or assessing in any way, this kind of theorizing. We should stick strictly with official comments by the police and other law enforcement agencies. For the time being, avoid picking up PAGES DRAFTED BY OFFICE PHONE NO DATE APPROVED BY 1 2 MSorkin InS IOP/G 5031<loc_508><loc_890><loc_508><loc_890><loc_509><loc_890>5031 6/4/68 Hewson A. USA AND OTHER CLEARANCES <loc_118><loc_924>LIMLIMTED OFFICIAL USE Classification

John F. Kennedy, assassination, investigations, related individuals and events:

* June 25, 1968: The White House refers a telegram to the Attorney General regarding a request for quick justice for Sirhan B. Sirhan.
* June 9, 1968: Mrs. James J. Esposito writes to President Johnson requesting quick punishment for Sirhan B. Sirhan and criticizing the administration's handling of crime.
* June 28, 1968: The White House responds to Mrs. Esposito's letter, thanking her for her interest and noting that her comments have been fully noted.
* June 8, 1968: President Johnson writes to Mrs. Laverne Mall regarding the death of Robert Kennedy, expressing sorrow and referring to the need for responsibility.
* June 7, 1968: The FBI reports on reaction to Senator Kennedy's death, noting no significant reaction in several cities.
* June 10, 1968: The FBI updates its report, stating that there has been no significant reaction to Senator Kennedy's death in Phoenix, Arizona or Portland, Oregon.
* Frank G. Nagle writes to President Johnson expressing his disappointment with the president's response to a previous letter and criticizing the selection of a committee to investigate Senator Kennedy's death.

People:

* John F. Kennedy
* Robert Kennedy
* Sirhan B. Sirhan
* Mrs. James J. Esposito
* Mrs. Laverne Mall
* Frank G. Nagle

Events:

* Assassination of John F. Kennedy
* Death of Robert Kennedy
* Investigation into Senator Kennedy's death
* Reaction to Senator Kennedy's death in several cities

Key findings and evidence:

* A ballistic examination has proven that the bullet removed from Senator Kennedy's head had definitely been fired by the murder weapon at a distance of two to six inches.
* Sirhan B. Sirhan was identified as engaging in target practice with a .22 caliber pistol on June 4, 1968, at the San Gabriel Valley Gun Club, Duarte, California.
* Sandra Serrano, aged 20, claimed to have heard shots and then saw a man and woman running from the scene of the shooting, but her statement was disputed by Detective C.J. Hughes, Los Angeles Police Department.
* Judge Arthur L. Alarcon issued an order prohibiting the release of any extrajudicial statements, documents, exhibits or evidence so as to insure there be no interference with the constitutional right of Sirhan to a fair trial.

Investigations and reactions:

* The FBI reported on reaction to Senator Kennedy's death in several cities, noting no significant reaction.
* President Johnson wrote to Mrs. Laverne Mall regarding the death of Robert Kennedy, expressing sorrow and referring to the need for responsibility.
* Frank G. Nagle criticized the selection of a committee to investigate Senator Kennedy's death and expressed his disappointment with the president's response to a previous letter.

Related individuals and events:

* The White House referred a telegram to the Attorney General regarding a request for quick justice for Sirhan B. Sirhan.
* Mrs. James J. Esposito wrote to President Johnson requesting quick punishment for Sirhan B. Sirhan and criticizing the administration's handling of crime.
* The White House responded to Mrs. Esposito's letter, thanking her for her interest and noting that her comments had been fully noted.

Note: This summary only includes information related to John F. Kennedy, the assassination, investigations, or related individuals and events.

RFK Declassified Files

166-12c-1_section_1-part_2_of_5.pdf

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