</s>KENNEDY/COMMUNIST (69d) to die. It was enough for somebody to pull the trigger for him but millions are dying a slower and moreanguishing death. After the assassination of John Kennedy, some people in the USA said: "What can happen only in Dallas." After the death of Martin Luther King was said: 'That can happen only down South. But after Los Angeles I did not hear any- one say: "that can happen ONLY in California." There is blood all over America. Murder is both a method of resolving political disputes and an amusement with a kick in it. Whoever pulled the trigger in Los Angeles, it was American society that committed the murder. (Literaturave Gazeta No. 24. In full.) 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The assassination of Senator Robert Kennedy in June 1968 was widely condemned by the Arab world, with many newspapers and officials expressing shock and sympathy for the victims. The alleged assassin, Sirhan Bishara Sirhan, a 24-year-old Jordanian-Palestinian immigrant, was arrested and charged with the crime.

Arab leaders and officials, including King Hussein of Jordan and President Abdel Rahman Aref of Iraq, condemned the assassination as an act of violence that had no connection to any Arab country or organization. The United Nations also issued a statement condemning the assassination and stating that it did not involve any foreign government.

Many Arab newspapers highlighted reports from New York saying that U.S. Chief delegate to the United Nations, Arthur Goldberg, had met with Arab representatives and read them a statement from the State Department that there was no evidence of foreign involvement in the assassination.

Columnist Ghassan Kanafani warned against prejudice or creating suspicion about Sirhan's motives, stating that "no matter what we think of the crime which took the life of Robert Kennedy, it is not wise to give initial objection or create suspicion about that the motives of Sirhan's bullets."

The Jordanian Bar Association appointed four lawyers to defend Sirhan in Los Angeles. The Arab world also expressed sympathy for Sirhan, with some newspapers and officials highlighting his Palestinian heritage and expressing concern that he would receive a fair trial.

The assassination led to a re-examination of the Palestine question by the Arab world, with many leaders and officials discussing the issue and its implications for the region.

King Hussein of Jordan sent condolences to President Johnson and Mrs. Kennedy, expressing sympathy for their loss. He also sent a message to Edward Kennedy, stating that he was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of his brother.

The AD-DUSTUR newspaper commented on the assassination, stating that no sensible Arab council would commit such an act, and that only Jews and Zionists would benefit from it. The chief editor noted that Sirhan was likely used as a hired murderer by Israel's intelligence to propagate against Arabs.

Sirhan's personality is revealed through reports that he was well-educated, well-behaved, and intelligent. He was engaged in the Palestinian cause and had a strong sense of justice, believing that assassination was a means to an end. His lawyer, who knew him well, stated that Sirhan would have assassinated any U.S. leader who stood against the Arab case.

The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) condemns the political assassination of Senator Robert Kennedy, stating that it does not serve the Palestinian cause. The PLO also notes that the permanent support given by the United States to Israel is a major factor in the conflict.

Various newspapers and publications discuss the assassination, with some highlighting the Arab origin of Sirhan and others condemning the use of violence. The Iraqi newspaper Al-Jumhuriyah comments on the double-sided nature of the act, while ASI-SHAB notes that Sirhan's actions were motivated by a desire to avenge his family.

The Jordan Bar Association has selected four lawyers from Jordan and Libya to defend Sirhan Sirhan, the alleged assassin of Senator Robert Kennedy. The defense team faces a difficult task in planning their approach due to the political aspects of the case, which puts not only Sirhan on trial but also the Arab world.

Sirhan's brother, Sulaiman Bisharan, was arrested by Iraqi security officers for spying for Israel.

RFK Declassified Files

62-hq-587_ebf_997_sec_001_ser_997_only-part_3_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search