DEPARTMENT OF STATE Department of State TELEGRAM TELEGRAI 25 UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 SAIGON 29359 071427Z. KENNEDY TO THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM IN VIETNAM. UNQUOTE. BUNKER UNCLASSIFIED

Summary  
The documents detail international diplomatic and media responses to Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination on June 5, 1968, across multiple countries. U.S. Department of State telegrams record press coverage in Lisbon, Santo Domingo, Algiers, Tunisia, Luxembourgh, Beirut, San Salvador, Rome, and Moscow. In Lisbon, media emphasized anti-American sentiment alongside sympathy for Kennedy’s family; Santo Domingo noted government condolences and demonstrations. Algerian editorials linked the assassination to U.S. policies, while Tunisian reports speculated on Arab origins for the suspect. Luxembourgh media debated political motivations and gun violence, Beirut included Lebanese officials’ condolences and Palestinian student reactions, San Salvador held a National Assembly tribute with a minute of silence, Rome reported Mobutu’s embassy visit, and Moscow state media framed the assassination as an attack on U.S. imperialism. The Department of State also documented funeral arrangements for Kennedy in New York, including Japanese government participation, German diplomatic protocols, and logistical details such as transportation, seating limits at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and public access to Arlington National Cemetery.  

Key People  
- Robert F. Kennedy (assassinated Senator)  
- Sirhan Bishara (alleged assassin)  
- Lyndon B. Johnson (U.S. President)  
- Pablo Rafael Casimiro Castro (Dominican politician)  
- Ambassador Shimoda (Japanese government representative)  
- Eichi Nakado (Diet Member, Japan)  
- Takasaburo Kosaka (chairman of the Robert F. Kennedy Committee)  
- Dietrich Spangenberg (German official representing FRG at funeral)  
- President Lopez (Honduran leader)  
- Charles Helou (President of Lebanon)  
- Adib al-Khouri (Lebanese Premier)  
- Kamal al-Assad (Speaker of Lebanon’s Chamber of Deputies)  
- Fidel Sanchez (President of San Salvador)  
- Mobutu Sese Seko (President of Zaire)  
- Senator Prieto (Venezuelan political figure)  
- Caldera (Venezuelan presidential candidate)  
- Barrios (Venezuelan presidential candidate)  

Key Locations  
- Lisbon (Portugal), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), Algiers (Algeria), Tunis, Luxembourgh, Beirut (Lebanon), San Salvador (El Salvador), Rome (Italy), Moscow (Soviet Union), Tokyo (Japan), Caracas (Venezuela), Tegucigalpa (Honduras), Port-au-Prince (Haiti), St. Patrick’s Cathedral (New York, USA), Arlington National Cemetery (USA)  

Key Events  
- International press coverage of Kennedy’s assassination and its political implications  
- Official condolences from foreign governments (Dominican Republic, Lebanon, San Salvador)  
- Public demonstrations in Santo Domingo and Lebanese student reactions  
- Soviet state media framing the assassination as an attack on U.S. imperialism  
- Japanese government participation in funeral arrangements and diplomatic protocols  
- German designation of Dietrich Spangenberg as official representative at Kennedy’s funeral  
- Media coverage linking Kennedy’s assassination to right-wing conspiracies and social unrest in Latin America  
- San Salvador National Assembly tribute ceremony with a minute of silence  
- Mobutu’s visit to the U.S. embassy in Rome  
- Israeli press critiques of U.S. policies in Vietnam and calls for improved security measures  

Key Organizations  
- Department of State (U.S.)  
- U.S. Embassy Lisbon, Santo Domingo, and other diplomatic missions  
- Japanese government and Robert F. Kennedy Committee (U.S.-Japan relations)  
- Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) diplomatic corps  
- Lebanese government and Palestinian refugee student organizations  
- Soviet Union (state media and propaganda apparatus)  
- Venezuelan political parties (e.g., COPEI, MEP)  
- U.S.-Japan Council for International Understanding  
- Honduran media outlets (*El Cronista*, *La Prensa*)  
- Israeli media outlets (*Davar*, *Ha'aretz*)

RFK Declassified Files

pol_6_us_kennedy_01_01_1967_senator_robert_f._kennedy-part_3_of_8.pdf

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