Transcript of pol_6_us_kennedy_06_10_1968_senator_robert_f._kennedy-part_1_of_5.pdf

================================================== Page 1 ================================================== DEPARTMENT OF STATE Washington, D.C. 20520 JE 8802 BSJR FILES XLe&X June 14, 1968 CoPI} TOt s/8 2 tosather. ARA Nic MEMORANDUM FOR M WALT W_ ROSTOW THE WHITE HOUSE Subject: Condolences from the Council of State of Guatemala to the President on the Death of Senator Kennedy The enc losed message of condolence was received from the Council of State of Guatemala_ The Council is an advisory body of prominent citizens whose in- fluence has generally been used to discourage needed reforms The Department recommends that, instead of send - ing a direct reply signed by the President, the Amer - ican Embassy in Guatemala City be instructed to make ~ an appropriate acknowledgement on the President' s behalf_ Benjamin Ho Read ( Executive Secretary Enc losure Translation of message of condolence from Guatemalan Council of State ARA / CEN/G:GAwiggins:tp:6/13/68 CLEARANCES : x3024 ARA/ CEN-Amb C.Ra Burrows ARA Miss Eltz s/s Mr 0 Parker Attention Keep thij stuoy 40/0 ================================================== Page 2 ================================================== EXESNtiVE "Ope!4RR" OEPARTMENI OUT 1968 JUN V; FM SE~Re 7 42 ================================================== Page 3 ================================================== ; 6 3 71 !23 XITT-[ JUNE 9 1968 GUATEMALA VIA GUATEL 19 8 1101 Lt LYNDON B JoHNSON WASHINGTONDC PARTICIPAMOS GRAN PESAR MUERTE SENADOR KENNEDY CON USTEDES AMERICA LLENASE Luto CoNSEJo ESTADO GUATEMALA ================================================== Page 4 ================================================== LS NO . 2546-d XITT-l JUNE 9 1968 GUATEMALA VIA GUATEL 19 8 1101 LYNDON B JOHNSON WASHINGTON D.C, WE SHARE WITH ALL OF YOU THE DEEP SORROW FOR THE DEATH OF SENATOR KENNEDY AMRICA IS FILLED WITH MOURNING _ COUNCIL OF STATE OF GUATEMALA ================================================== Page 5 ================================================== Op ~-L.6 1s] enly 2 Departmens of State TES 0F Tebt F TELEGRAN CONF IDENT IAL 360 PAGE 0 | LONDON '9887 1406342 21 ACTION NEA 15 INFO EUR 15Sy 03,SS 20,NSC 10,ASR 0 L,H 02,CIAE 00,DODE 00 , INR 07 , NSAE 00,P 04'RSC 0 | , US I A 12,/090 W P 1406152 JUN 68 3 FM AMEMBASSY LONDON To SECSTA TE WASHDC PR IOR ITY 4169 INF0 AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIOR [ Ty AMEMBASSY BE IRUT AMCONSUL JERUSALEM AMEMBASSY TEL AV IV C 0 N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 988 7 1 SUBJ : KENNEDY ASSASS I NA TION REF $ STA TE 182627 1 , ASSUME REUTERS ITEM B A SED ON KIMCHE STORY REPORTED OUR 9869 WHICH DEPT . MA Y ISh REPEAT TELEGRAPHICALLY To ADDITIONAL POSTS . 2 0 WE SHALL TRY SOUND OUT KIMCHE AFTER HE ARISES TODA Y 2 BUt IN PAST HE HAS BEEN UNCOOPERAT IVE ABOUT REVEAL ING HIS "SOURCEs" To USG OFF ICIALS, GP v 4 BRUCE CONF IDENT IAL ARTMENT 1 8 1 1 STA ================================================== Page 6 ================================================== -Els Us |nnedyp RLct Department of State TELEGRAM TES OF 83 LIMITED 0fF IC [AL USE 487 PAGE 0 | LONDON 29924 1418172 43 Actron SY 03 INF0 EUR 15,SS 20,NSC 10 2 RSC 0 ! RSR 0 |,SSO 00,/050 W P ! 417102 JUN 68 FM AMEMBA SSY LONDON To SECSTATE WASHDC PRIOR JTy 4194 LimTEd OFF ICIAL USE LONDON 9924 SUBJECT , KENNEDY ASSASS I NA TION REF $ STA TE 183194 , LONDON 9887 KIMCHE JUSt POSTPONED UNTIL SA TURDA Y NOON SESS I ON WIth EMROFF WHICH HAD BEEN SET FOR ThIS EVENING , EXEMPT 0 BRUCE "7 0 LIMITED OFF IC IAL USE ~SPARTMEN? OF 1 J 1 STA 1 ================================================== Page 7 ================================================== 3 '| Up FOL 6 Us]PE NNe DY,RBE N Department State TELEGRAM TES Ps_Z-LJbRogNusIsLEH_ Elk HA CONF IDENTIAL 537 B)Shaka PAGE @ | TEL A V 04128 1408562 12 ACTION NEA 15 INFO EUR 15,SS 201SY 03,USIE B0,CIAE 00,DODE 00, INR 07,NSAE 00,P 04, RSC 0 | RSR 0] ,/066 W P R 1408402 JUN 68 To SEESFATEYwxeHdc cVPRIORITY 4044 E INFO AMEMBASSY LONDON C 0 N F I D E N T I A L TEL AViv' 4128 JO INT STATE/USIS MESSAGE Pvz 2 REF , STATE 182627 , LONDON 9869 UP [ P 5 TEL' A VIV CORRESPONDENT SIMON TELLS US HE HAS Just FILED STORY ON TALK WITh SIRHAN'S FA THER WHICH EFFECTIVELY Shoots DOwN KIMCHE StoRY (LONDON REFTEL ) , both SIRHAN'S FATHER AND A FORMER SCHOOLi TEACHER OF HIS DENY SIRHAN EVER MARRIED AND STATE OTHER DETA ILE VERY IMPROBABLE' SIMON SPECULA TES KIMCHE MA Y HA VE GOTTEN AIS STORY FROM BE IRUT SOURCES AND POINTS Out' THERE VERY WELL: MAY' BE ANOTHER SIRHAN WhO HAS PERSONAL HISTORY ALONG LINES REPORTED BY KIMCHE = GP - 3 0 BARBOUR CONEIDENTIAL QEPARTMt, 1 Yef J 1 STA OF ================================================== Page 8 ================================================== {o L k Is} Kr311 2 OUtGOINg TELEGRAM Department of State /k%eT/ F; 3 INDICATE: COLLECT 9 CHARGE TO LIMITED HL USE n 8 Orioin ACTION: AmConsul , FLORENCE 4*60 20 ; Intot INFO : AmEmbassy , ROME STATE PLEASE PASS FOLLOWING MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY TO FEDERICO BIGI SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS , REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO 1 QTE Thank you for your thoughtful message of condolence (N on the tragic death of Senator Robert F Kennedy . Your sympathy at this time of national sorrow is deeply appreciated. Sincerely Dean Rusk , UNQTE 2 Department does not to release message , but has no objection to release by Bigi. 3 Following , FYI, is English translation of Bigi' s message to the Secretary. QTE The new , terrible act of violence that has afflicted 9 the United States and ruthlessly snuffed out the generous life ~ 0f Robert Kennedy , taking away from all free men and free people a vallant and noble champion of the ideals of freedom 1 justice , and democracy , deeply moves the Government of the Republic of San Marino, which joins in the sorrow of the American Governnent _ Please convey Drattod by: Tel , Exi_ Telographic transmission and EUR/AIS:RWTaylor ,Jr:ld 6/13/68 classification approved by: EUR RM Beaudr Clearancos: 4537 EUR/AIS Mr . Stablerl s/s AParkex LIMTTED OFFICIAL USE Form Classification 8-65 DS-322 plan I Rnreh J ================================================== Page 9 ================================================== Page 2 of telegram to AmConsul FLORENCE INFO: AmEmbassy ROM LIMITED OFFICIAL USE Classification Please convey these sentiments to your_ government , adding the expressions of my personal heartfelt condolences . FEDERICO BIGI 1 SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS _ UNQTE END 'RUSKi L LIMITED OFFICIAL USE FORM DS-322A 0-63 Classification CONTINUATION shEET ================================================== Page 10 ================================================== OF Qcl 6 us]knula KkvtF Department of State TES OF TELEGRAM CONF IDENT IAL 11/ PAGE 01 BE IRUT 206 | 0 1414192 53 ACTION NEA 15 INFO EUR 15,C I AE 0d,DOE 00,GPM 04,H 02, INR 07 ,L 73,NSC 10 ,P 04' RSC 6|,SP 8 .'SS 20,USIA 12,Sy 03,F6 [ 01,RSR 01,/100 W 9 3/ R 1412272 JUN 68 FM AMEMBA SSY BEIRUT To SECSTA TE WASHDC 5378 INF0 AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMCONSUL JERUSALEM AMEMBASSY JIDD A AMEMBASS Y KUwA IT AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY TEL AV IV C 0 N f [ D E N T [ A L BF IRUT 10 | 48 REF ; STA TE 182627 : LONDON 9869 5 I : BEIRut PRESS JUNE 174 CARRIED WIRESERV ICE REPORT 3 MCCLOSKFY STA TEMENT THAT OEPT HAS NOT RPT NOT 5 INFGRMATION THAT SIRHAM Had LEFT US SUBSEQUENT 1957 AND RETURNED PRESS C [TES EXCERPTS JON KIMCHE ARTICLE FROm LON)ON EVENING S TAND4RD STA TING REAL NAME ASSASS I N ARU KHATER, THA T HE MARR IFD LEILA MIKHAEL In SALT 1957 AND THAT KE MADE Two TRIPS To MIDcLE EAST SPENDING FQUR MonThs In DAMASCUS 1964 AND FIVE MQNTHS IN CA IRO LA TE 1966 EARL Y 1967 . Story CLEARL Y BA SED TEXT CONTA INEi) LONDON ' S 9869, 2 + K IMCHE ARTICLE APPARENTL Y CARRIED ALL MAJOR "IRE SERVICES. 3 0 EMBASSY DOES vot KnOw WHERE !IMCHE OR TA INED MATERIAL UPCN WhICH HE BASED AIS ARTICLE AND IS UNABLE COMMENT VERACITY QN StorY. WE HAVE NO REASON BELIEVE KIMCHE I8 REFERRING To LEPANESE GOVERNMENT A $ ONE WAICh "DEVELOPED STARTLING INFO . " PORTER CONF [ DENTIAL Q#PARTMEN? 1 J 1 STA V) 0 { 1 ================================================== Page 11 ================================================== Oal { US Ffexetp, 8 3 3 4 7 OUTGOING TELEGRAM Department of State 3 INDICATE: COLLECT 9 CHARGE To LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 8 Classification {rj 8 Oriain ACTION: Amembassy LIMA Jun 88 18 462 Info: STATE PLEASS PASS FOLLOWTNG MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT TO PRESIDENT BELAUNDE: 1_ QTE . The tragic and unt imely death of Senator Robert F_ 1 Kennedy has come as a great shock to al1 Americans On behalf of the people of the United States, I express my deepest appreciation for your words of sympathy UNQTE 2 _ QTE _ The knowledge that your countrymen share our grief is a s ource of great comfort and consolation_ I shall transmit your message to Mrs_ Kennedy and members of the Senator S family . Lyndon Ba Johnson UNQTE . 3 _ White House does not plan to release message, but has no objection to release by President Belaunde _ 4_ Following, FYI, is English text of President Be Launde 8 message to the President : QTE _ I wish to express to Your Excellency our deep consternation over the death of the illustrious Senator, Draftod by: Tel_ Ext_ Telegraphic transmission and Dxordtaxdrsnrre ARA :EP [P:PESchraud:jr:6[12/68 4806 classification approvod by: AArxxxliioreemae Clearances: ARA R,EItz S/s ARA-LA/EP Mr Berlin LIMITED OFFICIAL USE FORM Classification 8-65 DS-322 P1bt-s Rarker(YR ================================================== Page 12 ================================================== Page_ 2 of telegram to Amembassy_ LIMA LIMITEDQFFICIAL IJSE Classification Robert Kennedy. His death, resulting from violence in social and political affairs prompts us to condemn such methods that attack human liberty and dignity, which have always been the tradition of the people of the United States and the foundation 0f their political institutions Senator Kennedy 8 death is especially deplored in Peru since, during his tour of this continent , he revealed to us his noble political ideas ) directed toward a better understanding of the problems facing our countries in order to achieve close and just cooperation between the Latin American republics and the United States . Reiterating to Your Excellency the sorrow of the people and Government of Peru, I have the honor of renewing to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest personal consideration _ Fernando Belaunde Terry, Constitutional President of Peru _ UNQTE . End Rusk FORM LIMITEDQFFICIAL USE 8-63 DS-322A Clussification CONTinUATION SHEET ================================================== Page 13 ================================================== OP kol 6us Kus Akwtf Department of State TELEGRAM TES OP LIMITED OFF ICIAL USE 87 4 PAGE 0 [ LUSAKA 0208@ 1441582 E 47 ACtION AF 15 INFO CIAE 00,DODE 00,GPM 04,h 020INR 07,4 03,NSC 10,P 04,RSC 01,SP 02, SS 20,US IA 12,NSA 02,RSR 0 1083 W R 1410242 JUN 68 2 FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA Cj To SECSTATE WASHDC 2875 2 LIMITED OFFICIAL USE LUSAKA 2080 S SUBJECT, PROTESTING ASSASS INATION REACTIONS REF , LUSAKA 2079 1 , SUMMARY , FOLLOWING IS TEXT f LETTER AMBASSADOR Good SENT ZAMB IAN FORE IGN MINISTER REUBEN KAMANGA ON JUNE 9 TAKING V IGOROUS EXCEPTION To STA TEMENTS MADE B Y MINISTER of STATE PETER CHANDA AND: MINISTER w/0 PORTFOL I0 MAINZA ChONA (LUSAKA 2022 AND ENCLOSURE 3 PAGE 3 OF LUSAKA A -456 ) IMPLICATING "THOSE IN POWER" IN KENNEDY AND KING ASSASS INATIONS . LETTER EXPLA INS AND ASKS UNDERSTAND ING OF FORCES A T WORK In AMERICA AND EXPRESSES UNDERSTAND ING OF DEEP EMOTIONS CAUSED ASSASS INATION bUt CATEGORICALLY REFUSES AcCEPT D I ABOL ICAL ASSERTIONS THAT "THOSE In POWER" IN AMER ICA TODA Y SOMEHOW PERPETRATED KENNEDY '5 DEATH- OR THAT AMERICAN GOVERNMENT IS IN HANDS OF A "Thug . 01 ThIS IS LETTER THAT EVOKED KAMANGA PRESS STORY REPORTED REFTEL ' EMBASSY COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDA TIONS FOLLOw IN SEPTEL , 2 , BEGIN TEXT (UNESSENTIAL WORDS OMITTED ) , My DEAR MR, MINISTER : I Must TAKE MOST VIgoRous EXCEPTION To RECENT STA TEME VTS BY SENIOR MEMBERS OF ZAMB IAN GOVERNMENT , AS REPORTED IN PRESS , THAT ASSASS INATION OF SENA TOR ROBERT KENNEDY WAS "SCHEMED BY THOSE IN POwER," THAT HE WAS KILLED B Y A MERCENARY" 1B Y IMPLICATIon, A "MERCENARY" OF THOSE IN POWER ) , AND THAT "To SURVIVE AS PRESIDENT IN AMERICA TODA Y ONE AAS To RE A Thug Vi LIMITED OFf IC I AL USE Q PARTMIN? 1 1 1 STAF J BY ================================================== Page 14 ================================================== Op Department of State TELEGRAM 0} LIMITED OFFICIAL USE PAGE 82 LUSAKA 0.2080 14 01582 3 , AMER ICA HA S LOst ONE DF HER NOBLEST SONS A T HANDS , NOT JF A N AMERICAN BUT (IF ACCUSED Is FQUND GULTY ) A FOREIGNER EVIDENTLY cFRANGED L}Y AN ISSUF HAVinG NQTHING To Do WHATSOEVER wITh AMERIC^N D~EsTIC PROALEYS, IT IS MA TTER To ME OF JFF IC I AL COVCERA AD PERSONAL SORROW Tha T In THESE SAD CIRCUNST NCES I , My COUNtRy GOVFRNMENT 1 REPRESENT AAVE JEEN MADE OFJECT QF ABUSE --MUCH OF WHICH WOULD SEEM APPROPR I A TE ONLY FJk GZ VERNMENTS STANDING IN AN ADVFRSARY RELA TIonsh]P 4 , I CA V UNDERSTA;v! DEEP EMOT I ONS WHICH HA VE "ELLEn UP In ZAMPIA FJlLOwInc ThIS APPALL ING EVENT, FOR ThESE FMOTIONS AND SENT [MEATS, CAN ASSURE YOu, A #E MJRF PROFOUND B Y FAR IN AMERICA AND To #UMANE IDEALS (IDEALS WAICh ALAS WE' AS PERHAPS ALL NA TIONS , FALL F A R SHORT OF REALIZING ) AND ACKNOWLFOGED RY mOST AMERICA VS , EVEN THOSE Who nID NOt AGRE E WIth HI`' ^ < YOUNG LEADER OF VISIen AND DEDICAT I ON . 5, I CA V UNDERSTA VD YOUR ARHORENCE 0F PLIND HA TE AND VIOLENCE, FOR TODA Y ThIS ARPO~ENCE UC ALMOST A N ORSESSION AMONG AMERICANS wHO HA VF REEN CA T ^ GA IN INTo NATIONAL MOURNING AND PERSONAL GRIEF BY A VIOLEvT ACt , I CAN ONL Y IVV [ TE YOUR UNDFRSTAND ING OF VAST FORCES WhICh AISTORY KAS UNLEASFD IN AMERICA AND 4ITh WhIch 4E NOw A #E SRA DPL IAG--DRJBLEMS OF HUMAN RELA TIONSHIPS AS WE PURSUF ~UR Rz VjLutI ? FCR EQUAL OPPORTUN I Ty IN OUR HETEROGE VEQUS, MELTING-POT SJCFTY , PRURLEMS OF ACUTE URBANIZA T ION whIch HA VE DEPERSONALIZED QUR CITIES: PROBLEMS JF INTERVATIONAL REEPONSI?ILIty WhICH 37[NG To OUR VERY JOORSTEP E VERY CONTENTIQUs ISSUE WHIah UNSETTLES QUR TROURLED AORLD- e ALL OF NhICh CAN Br , HAVE REEN) A ND W[LL CONTINUE 3E PRODUCT[VE OF VIOLENT REACTIONS WITHIN MY coUNTRY _ 7 , J CA V UNDERSTAnO YOUR ShDCk A T HAT MUST APPEAR To BE AMERICA 'S ~FCKLESSNE SS With LIVES OF ItS EMINENT MEN, WE AME?[ CANS ARE SHCCKED THREE-FOLD - - AND DE EPL Y PERPLEXED < WE AA VE RIghTly BEEN ACCUSED OF L GX GUN - CQVTROL LAWS WHICH NOw, ThA `VK GOD, A R6 A T LAST BE ING RECTIF IED . BUt TIGhTESt CONTROLS ThA T CAY 8E DEV ISED 'ILL NQT PRE VENT A MAD MAN FROM ILLEGALLY ORTa IN I N > A LETHAL WEAPON, AND REST SECRET SERVICE [N THE WJRLO D ] D NOT 54 VE JOhN KENNEDY WHEVV KF INS I STED: ON RIDING IV OPEN C ^ R. JUR TRadiTION, OF Which WE ARE RIGHTLy LImITED OFF IC [AL USE Q#ARTMEN? 1 7 1 STATES AND To ================================================== Page 15 ================================================== OP Department of State TELEGRAM TES Of 1 LIMITED OFF IC IAL USE PAGE 03 LUSAKA 02180 14[1582 PROUD , IS OPEN POL ITICAL COMPETITION WIth TOTAL ACCESS To PUBL IC o BOB KENNEDY HIMSELF WAS RECENTLY ASKED ABOUT DANGER OF ASSASS INA TION AND REPLIED ThAt THERE WAS NO WA y To PROTECT CANDIDATE FOR PRES IDENC Y SINCE HE MUST G I VE HIMSELF To THE PEOPLE = CLEARLY WE WILL HAVE To DO BETTER , FOR PRICE WE HAVE PA [D IS INTOLERARLE - 0 BUT THE PRQBLEM, ORJECT IVELY CONSIDERED , IS GREAT . NO CAND IDA TE FOR MA JOR OFF ICE IN AMERICA WELCOMES CONSTRA INT oF SEcRET SERVICE PROTECTION . 8 , THESE VARIOUS EMOTIONS ND VIEWS I CAN UNDERSTAND , EVEN A S I INVITF You To 4 GREATER UNDFRSTAND ING OF ENV IRONMFNT IN AMERICA WHIch HAS PRODUCED THEM, WHAT 1 CAN NEITHER UNDERSTAND NOR AcCEPT , MR' MINISTER, IS NOTION THAT "THOSE In POWER" IN A MERICA TODA Y HAVE SOMEHOW PERPETRA TED SENATOR KENNEDY eS ASSASS I NA T ION OR ThAt AMER ICAN GOVERNMENT IS 0i HANDS OF A "Thug THEY ARE TRULY DIABCL ICAL ASSERTIONS- AND CONSTITUTE AN UNW ITTING , BUt I RELIEVE OPEN INV ITATION To "HATE AMERICA , M AN A TtITUDE VHIcH Is LIKEL Y IF PERPETUATED To CONTRIBUTE To , RA THER THAN D IMINISH, THOSE TERRIBLE AND SENSELESS FORCES OF IRRATIONAL ITy WhICh ARE COMMON ENEMY OF US ALL ' YOURS SINCEREL Y , ROBERT C , GOOD , END TEXt , DECONTROL A T DEPT DISCRETION , EDMONDSON LIMITED OFF I C IAi USE ~PARTMEN? 1 1 1 STA In ================================================== Page 16 ================================================== Op {ol uslKuneby Rakesk F Department of State TES 0P Vh TELEGRAM CJNF IDENT IAL 154 PAGE 0 | LUSAKA 02285 14[4482 ActIOn AF 15 E INF0 CIAE 0$,DODE 26,GPM 24h 02, INR 07,4 03,NSAE 00,NSC 1B ,P 04, RSC 0 | ,SP 02,SS 20,US I A 12RSR 01,/08 | W P R 1413582 JUN 2 Fm AMEMBASSY LUSAKA To SECSTATE WASHDC PR IOR ITY 2877 Info AMEMBASSY CAR ES SALAAM C 0 N F [ 0 E N T [ A L LUs4 /A 2085 8 DAR ES SALAAm FCR A -B GQ00 SUB JECT: PROTESTING ASSASS [ VA T ION RE ACTIONS , COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REF : LUSAKA 2379 A VD 208n 1 Q KAMANGA HAS ADDED INSULT To INJURY ay COMMENTING To PRESS ON AMBASSADOR ? S LETTER WIthout FVFN REPLYING To EMBASSY , THE WHILE DENYING ANY INTENT BLAME USG AND IGNORING PREVIoUs CHARGES THAT A SSASSINA TION WAS MASTERMINDED BY "THOSE IN POwER s " HF NEVERTHELESS CHARACTFRIZES Us SYSTEM AS "POL ITICS OF GUNPCwDER" A ND IMPLIES RECENT ASSASS INA TION MUST BE PART OF PLOT. 2 " mHILE EMBA SSY SEES nO PURPOsE To 8E ACHIEVED In ENGAG ING IN FURTHER DIALOC;UE ON THIS EMOTICN-LADEN SUbJECT, ESPECIALLY S I NCE WE HAVE MADE OUR POs I TION KnOwN 30Th PUBL ICL Y (A - 456 EVCL ' S 1 A NO B Y AMBASSADOR ' S UNPUBL I SKED LETTER {LURAKA 2079 } ~E ARE TRULY DISTURBED B Y GRZ ' S UNDIPLOMATIC BEHAV IOR IN ONCE MORE TAK ING MATTFR To PRESS ANO MAKING OFFICIAL PURL IC COMMENTS 4B0UT QUR DOMESTIC POLITICS ThUS WHILE WISHING AMBASSADOR 'S EXCELLENT LETTER CQULD BE READ B Y THOSE wHO READ KAMANGA ' S ADD ITIONAL ALLE GA TIONS AGA INST OUR SOCIETY, WE BEL IEVE THIS WOULD ONL Y ST IR UP MORE CONTROVERSY . A T SAME T IME, ALTHOUGH TEMPTED BY EASY COURSE OF LETTING MATTER DROP In HOPES IT WILL NOT BE BELABORED MORE, WE QUESTIOn WHETHER WE SHOULD ALLOW GRZ To ThINK WE ACCEPT ThIS B I ZARRE CONF IDENTIAL QPARTMEN? 3 1 1 STAT 6 8 ================================================== Page 17 ================================================== Op Department of State TES OF TELEGRAM CONF IDENT IAL PAGE 02 LUSAKA 02085 1414482 TRE4TMENT WIThout PROTEST (ESPECIALLY In VIEW OF ZAMB IAN TENDENC Y To ASSUME TAAT SILENCE IMPLIES ACCEPTANCE ) _ EMBASSY THEREFORE BELIEVES SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE To REGISTER OUR DISSA TISFACTION WIthout REOPENING SUBSTANCE OF MA TTER OR EXACERBATING FEELINGS ANY MORE THAN NECESSARY . ACCORD INGLY , WOULD APPREC IATE DEPT COMMENTS OR INSTRUCTIONs REGARD InG COURSE 0F ACTION RECOMMENDED BELOW 3 , SUGGEST CHARGE SIGN FIRST PERSON FORMAL NOTE ALONG FOLLOWING LINES To FOREIGN MINISTER DEL I VERING It PERSONALL Y To MF A PERMANENT SECRETARY MUL IKITA WITh BRIEF ORAL EXPLANA T ION OF OUR HOPE THA T EXCHANGES OF THIS NATURE COULD BE KEPT WITAIN PROPER BOUNDS 0F CANDID but QUIET D IPLOMACY , A 0 BEGIN TEXT . EXCELLENCY , 1 AAVE HONOR To REFER To ARTICLE ENTITLED "KAMANGA REPLIES To US PROTEST" APPEARING PAGE 5 OF ZAMB IA MA IL JUNE 1 4, 1968 AND To EXPRESS MY SURPR I SE AND DISAPPO INTMENT TAAT AN OFF ICIAL COMMUNICA TION FROM AMBASSADOR OF UN ITED STA TES SHOULD RE DEALT WITh IN PUBLIC PRESS RATHER TAAN THROUGH NORMAL CHANNELS 0F DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE . B , AMBASSADOR ' S LETTER 0F JUNE 9 WAS INTENDED To PO INT Out HARMFULNESS OF AND TOTAL LACK 0F FOUNDATION For CERTA IN SPECIFIC ALLEGAT]ONc MADE BY SOME SENIOR MEMBERS OF ZAMB IAN GOVERNMENT ABoUt DOMESTIC POLITIcS OF UN ITED STATES , C < AMBASSADOR HAD EARLIER BEEN A SKED B Y PRESS FOR HIS REACTI ON To SUCh ALLEGATIOnS 8ut CONF INED HIS REPL Y To SUBSTANCE OF MATTER WIthout IDENTIFyING SOURCES OF SUch ALLZGATIOnS CR COMMENTING ON PROPRIFTY OF . TKEIR BE ING DiRECTED B Y PUBLIC QFFICIALS OF GOVERNMENT OF ZAMB[A AGA INST GOVERNMENT "THOSE IN POWFR" ) AND PRESIDENT 0F UNITED STATES 0 D o IN CIRCUMSFANCES, IT IS MOSt REGRETTABLE THAT DOMESTIC POL ITICS OF UN ITEC STATES WHIch F ALL SOLELY WITHIN JUR ISD ICTION OF USG HA VE REEN MADE To APPEAR A MATTER OF PUBL IC CONTENT ION #ETWEEN OUR Two GOVERNMENTS , E ACCEPT, EXCELLENCY , ET 0 END TEXT , 4 # wOULD ALSO PROPOSE PROV IDE COPIFS THIS AND PREVIOUS CORRESPONDENCE To PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL ASS I STANT MARK ChONA who WE BEL IEVE CAPABLE OF SEEING OUR VIFWPOINT OBJECTIVEL Y 0 5 0 F INALL Y SUGGEST AFSE COU vTRy DIRECTOR CALL AMBASSADQR BANDA In To EXPRESS CONCERN A T WA Y IN WHICH GRZ HAS DEALT CONF IDENT IAL ~ PARTMENc 1 [ 1 STA ================================================== Page 18 ================================================== OF Department of State TELEGRAM TES 0P CONF I DENT IAL PAGE 13 LUSAKA 02085 1414482 WITh MATTER , NOTE In PARA 3 ABOVE COULD ALSO BE STRENGTHENED B Y A UTHORIZING CHARGE To STATE In F IRST PARA (A ) THA T HE INSTRUCTED By DEPT To "EXPRESS SURPRISE AND DISAPPOINTMENT" ETC, 6 0 REQUEST DEPT REPL Y B Y IMMEDIATE IF SENT- OVER WEEKEND' GP - 3 EDMONDSON CONF I DENTIAL SPARTMEN? 1 7 1 STA ================================================== Page 19 ================================================== Op P (& u5j Kenseli Rakeet F Department of State TELEGRAM TES OF CONF * DENT IAL 8 4 3 PAGE 0 1 LUSAKA 02079 1416502 47 ActIon AF 15 INF0 CIAE B0,DODE 00,GPM 4,h 020 [NR 07,L 63 0 NSC XB,R 14 , RsC 01,SP 4 SS 20,US I A 12,NSA 02/,RSR 0 1 ,/083 W R 1 410022 JUN 68 FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA To SECSTATE WAZHDC 2874 INFO AMEMBASSY DA R ES SALAAM C 0 N F [ 0 E N T I A L: LUSAKA 2079 DAR ES SALAAM FOR AMBASSADOR GOOD SUBJECT : PROTESTING ASSASS INATION REACTIONS 3 c SUMMARY . FORE I GN MNISTER KAMANGA HAS REPL: ED THRCUGH THE PRESS TOdA Y (BUt S0 FAR NOT To TKE EMBASS Y } To LETTER AMB GOod SENT AIM JUNE 9 TAKING EXCEPTION To STATEMENTS 8 Y SENIOR GRZ OFF IC * AL SA Y ING THAT ASSASS INATION To SENATOR KENNEDY WAS "SCHEMED BY THOSE IN POwER" AND THA T To "SURV [ VE AS PRES Y DENT N AMERICA TODA Y- ONE HAS To BE A THUG o " KAMANGA , WHJLE DENY ING To PRESS THAT ZAMB IA BL AMED SENA ToR 'S DEATh ON USG , NEVERTHELESS WENT ON To SA Y DIFF ICUL T BEL IEVE DEATH OF SENATOR KENNEDY - eOR Of AIS BROTHER AND MARTIN LUTHER KNG 2 #COULD BE WORK OF MADMAN AND EVEN THEN "A MADMAN CAN BE USED AS A ND INSTRUMENT ~ PP HE ASKED "why ARE THE PEOPLE Who ACTUALL Y' SUPPLY THE WA R MATERIALS LEFT UNTOUCHED?' WE DON ' T KNOW WhO HAS BEEN COmM:Yting THE MURDERS BUt THERE AA S DEF INITEL Y' BEEN SOME CAREfUL PLANNING Q 0 FOLLOW ING GIVES FULLTEXT 0 TEXT OF AMBASSADOR e 5 LETTER AND COMMENTS BE ING SENT SEPTELS END SUMMARY 2 ARTICLE BELOW APPEARED ON P , 5 OF GRZ-OwNED AmB ! A MAIL JUNE 14 UNDER HEADL INE S'KAMANGA REPLIES T0 US PROTESTW UNESSENTIAL WORDS OMITTED , PF 6 ; } 24*T . LUSAKA , THURSDA Y - - TKE UNITED 5 7ATES EMBASSY HERE HAS PRO TESTED AGA INST ZAMB I A ' S REACTION ~0 ASS4 SSINATION LAST WFEk GF 32MAToR ROBERT KENNEDY THE FoRF j €N M'Nic~ER, MR 6 REUBEN KAMANGA , SA D PROTEST NOTE IMPLIED THA} ZAMb; A 6_AMEC SENATOR ! S DEATH ON US GOVERNMENT 0 CONF I DENTIAL b2 QePARTMtw_ 1 J 1 STA 66 2 It ================================================== Page 20 ================================================== Op Department of State TELEGRAM oP CONF I DENTIAL PAGE 02 LUSAKA 02079 1411502 4 Q BUt MR' KAMANGA EMPHASIZED THA T THIS WAS MISUNDERS ANDING OF ZAMB IA 'S VIEW WHICH WAS OUTLINED BY PRES IDENT KAWNDA ON Ais RETURN FROM VISIT KENYA AND UGANDA LAST WEEK ~ 5 0 MR o KAMANGA SA I D "THIS IS Not WHAT PEOPLE OF ZAMB iA ARE SAYING= WHAT THEY ARE SAA YING Is THAT AMERICAN POLITIcS HAVE BECOME POL ITICS OF GUNPOWDER e -WHETHER THEY ADMIT Wt oR NOT & " 6 ? THE MINISTER' W4o ACCOMPANIED PRES IDENT KAUNDA ON His EAST AFRICAN TOUR, SA ID NOTE WAS HANDED In B Y US AMBASSADOR . MR 0 ROBERT GOODe-WHO WAS AMONG FORE IGN DIPLOMATS WhO WELCOMED PRESIDENT KAUNDA A T LUSAKA INTERNA TIONAL A IRPORT ON H[S RETURN 7 0 MR 0 KAMANGA SA ID, " IT IS NOT GOOD To HDE SOMETKING BAD- - IT MUST BE CONDEMNED FOR WHA T It' [S , AMERiCAN PEOPLE MUST PROVE THEY ARE DECENT AND DISASSOC IA TE THEMSELVEs FRCN Thls VERY BA D THING WHIch HAS OCCURRED S0 FREQUENTL Y IN RECENT YEARS , 1i 8 ? IT WAS DIFFICULT To BELIEVE THAT DEATH Of SENAToR KENNEDY , OR THAT OF HIS BROTHER PRESIDENT JOHN KENNEDY AND CjViL RIGhts LEADER DR o MARTIN LUTHER KING, COULD BE WORK Of MA D MEN & EVEN THEN? MAD MEN CAN BE USED AS AN INSTRUMENT % , MrNISTER POI NTED OUt , 9 . MR ? KAMANGA SA I D IT' WAS "FAR-FETCHED" To SUGGEST TKAT "SENATOR KENNEDY WAS ASSASS INATED BECAUSE OF PRO - } SRAEL REMARKS HE HA D MA DE SOMETIME BACK ON MIDDLE EA ST SI TUATION 1 0 c "COULD HE HAVE DIED JUsT FOR ThIS?" MR KAMANGA ASKED < Why ARE THE PEOPLE WhO ACTUALLY SUPPL Y THE WAR ! MATERYALS LEFT UNTOUCHED? WE DoN T KNOW WhO HAS BEEN COMMITTiNG TKE MURDERS BUT THERE HAS DEF INITELY BEEN SOME CAREFUi PLANNING v 0; 1! ZAMB IA WANTED FRIENDSHIP WITh AMER ICA LIKE OTHER COUNTRIES THIS DID NOT MEAN FEARING To SPEAK QUT ON SUCH IMPORTANT 0 {A?ERNA T[ONAL MATTERS AS POL ITICAL ASSASS I NATIONS & MiN{STER SATo 42 , ON RETURN FROM EAST AFRICA , PRES IDENT k#Da COMMENTED ON DEATh OF THE KENNEDYS AND DR c KING $ "WE MUS MAKE CUR VIEw KNOwN To THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT & WE FA IL To UNDER STAND ThAT CONF [ DENT IAL Q#PARTMEN? 1 07 1 STATES #A BUT H? ================================================== Page 21 ================================================== Op ~ Department of State TELEGRAM TES CONF I DENTIAL PAGE 03 LUSAKA 02079 1411502 LEADERS OF ThA T TYPE 0 0 0 CAN BE ASSASS INATED AT ALL 0 0 130 PRES IDENT CRITICISED WHA T HE CALLED VERY STRANGE PATTERN" WHERE OUTSTANDING LEADERS COULD ONL Y BE PROTECTED WHEN THEY WERE DEAD , HE SA [ D 500 POLICE OFF ICERS HA D BEEN A T NEW YORK A IRPORT ONL Y To RECEIVE ROBERT KENNEDY 'S DEAD BODY 0 1 4 0 PRESIDENT KAUNDA SA [ D , "WE REGARD THOSE PEOPLE Who StrikE A T INTERNA TIONAL PROBLEMS A S OUR FRIENDS BO8B Y KENNEDY WAS ONE OF FEW AMERICAN LEADERS who IDENTIF IED AIMSELF WITh POOR FOR A RICh MAN To COME Down AND SPEAK VOICE OF THE POOR," KE DECLARED, m0 IS NOT AN EASY THING To= ACKIEVE '0 0? END TEXT c 15 , TEXT OF AMBASSADOR'S LETTER AND COMMENTS FOLLow 0 GP = 4 EDMONDSON CONF I DENTIAL ~PARTMEN, 1 1 1 STAT OF 06 A ================================================== Page 22 ================================================== PEEI_DISTRIBUTION ORIgiNAcTIon DEP ARTMENT OF STATE 6 AE:s AIRGRAM RobeRT F Rsir REP AF ARA Original to be Filed in Eeceifrolized Files FILE DESIGNATION EUF FE NEA CU UNCLASSIFIED A-267 INR E P 10 AANDLING INDICATOR NO, 2 To Department of State FbO AID J;: 1 Ip AGR Com FRB INT FROM Amconsul SALISBURY DATE: June 14 , 1968 LAB TAR TR XmB SUBJECT Death of Senator Robert Kennedy AIR ARMY NAVY OSD REF Salisbury 969 5 3|5 34 USIA NSA CIA n$ 3 2 0 Initial reactions in Rhodesia to the assassination of Senator Robert Kennedy were summarized in the referenced telegran _ After the first when we recelved a heavy volume of tele- SUGGESTED Distribution phone calls, including a few from Africans , there was a sharp fall-off In calls to the Consulate General expressing distress and offering condolences _ A small volume of letters has been received mostly from moderate Europeans The more significant or interesting ones are being sent separately for possible forwerdIng to the Kennedy famlly. All have been acknowledged . The tiny American Men S Club, with assistance from the post, POSL RQUIING organized a memorial service on Monday , June 10 _ (The church To: Action Info. Initials was not avallable on the 9th. ) Attendance was only falr_ It AMB/ had been expected that there would be more local liberal- Po moderates present than was actually the case On the whole, DCM however _ considering the unpopularity of Senator Kennedy S POl views among white Rhodeeians, there was a great deal of shock ECON and concern expressed . cons Editorials appeared in the "Rhodesia Herald" and Bulawayo ADM m 11 "Chronicle" for June 6 and in the "Sunday News" (Bulawayo) AId for June 9 (copies enclosed) Extracts from the first two UsIS were contained in our 969 _ 0 NEILL < Enclosure = : FICE Action Takon: 1 Newspaper articles (3) _ Dato: FoRm WNCLASSTFIED Fer_Deeektment Uge Onlx Inltials: 10-64 DS .323 In Out Drofted by: Dratting Dato: Iplhonc No. Contents and Classification Approved by: WPO 'NeiAl:bb 6/13/68 W _ Paul 0 'Neill, Jr Clearances: # U. S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1066 0 202-219 (258) usfkenaJy) Pab Ajat LD day , Tm ================================================== Page 23 ================================================== Page 1 of 3 Al Enclosure 1 Salisbury A-267 Rbodesta Aterala THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1968 SHALL THE Amerlcan natlonal Ife dd not begtn In to womb ot 4 new ctvlltzatton; 84 netlonal ASSASSIN Ife dld In Europe, but rather m 0 klnd Ot vacuum; and It RULE ? passed through its formatlve stages In an unnaturally short We wish that the space Of time. As far a8 moral general indignation would give values go all Europe and way to the will to banish America seem to be living o from ourselves the methods their capital, but America did of violence and crime" The not have nearly SO long to Pope, in his statement deploring accumulate hers. the shooting of Senator Robert American plays and flms Kennedy. show an unceasing search for were crtes of "Kill an ethic of living In soclety. THERE him S lynch him!" before If the search has not succeeded the suspect was taken away in America neither has It In in the protectve custody Of much of Europe. But there the Lob Angelee poltce; the seem to be a greater number eontert J whlch the of vlolent publlc tregedles b spokre: Is . very. roel Amesica; 04 ' thbs ratet pebllc Nfo 1: becotalng qrant In effect he wad polatig unsete, and good man 'coptem- out that the sttuation 0 not platlng 8n entry Intopoltlco changed by rage. Those who may be reluctant to risk the express indignation may be fate of a Kennedy or a Luther the same stuff as the killer denounce. Another way to it would be to say that The American people are America's killers are part Of not faced merely with the American society and American horror of vlolence and personal society should cleanse itself: tragedy; are faced with & terrible threat to the character But how ? It Is not for of politics itself: people outside America to say; and it 15 not a8 though Politics a5 the West knows Americans are not trying: them cannot CO-exist for long with the assassin: In a conflict Most citizens of the Unlted between the two is the assassin States are law abiding and to rule the field ? The weapons deeply sensitive to behaviour: at his disposal are much easler Yet their soclety Is streaked to u8e than tha dagger and with prtvete aggrerston ed the Poleoned Cop: And- K he vtolence~marred by them 8 perhapa Wq 0 10 otrer doet rules wbet heppebs t tho peturo Of government? sophlotlcated natton * Pope Ratcllly King: they put they the ================================================== Page 24 ================================================== Page 2 of 3 Enclosure 1 Salisbury A-267 dde Thursday, June 6, 1968 THE America; Lmeticens #ld ban #iek } 4 #mik alned wperret 00 #ae DREADFUL the Keitledyb, tncy ate Fet markable family of extraordi- nary energy and ability. Two of their number have been gunned down-_one while President and ACI the other an aspirant President The same can be said of Dr; Martin Luther King_and of the other great Americans, including three ' months ag0 Abraham Lincoln, whose death today we wrote in this has come through violence. column: Shock. Grief . Shame: Southern Africa, for all the These words express reaction abuse hurled at it (by Americans to the brutal, senseless murder among others) can thank God of Dr: Martin Luther King' that this is one charge that can- It is with horror that we have not be made against it up to to repeat them today because of now though the United the brutal, senseless shooting of Nations, in its latest resolutions, Robert Kennedy. would appear to be bent on It is an appalling indictment giving "moral and material aid" of the American society. to those bent on this course. America bills itself as the The Chronicle agrees with the 'eateat Gomocracy On earth"" VieR Yot * chan retttta to settk tnet_Paateal]dlaorancet @ "civilicedr A Tme aa bavo T0 sorted Gad to tho Wayt @ tlio anotier jungle the twentieth century horror of violence. Violence of "jungle" of a great technocracy this sort can only be & curse to and the deadly weapons it has mankind: 9) used its skills to produce: And we join with Vice-Presi- It is an added indictment that dent Hubert Humphrey in saying the so-called "gun lobby" (in the name, we are sure, of all abuses the freedom which its our readers) that "our hopes and members enjoy as citizens of a prayers are with Senator Ken- democracy to frustrate all nedy and those others who have moves to control efficiently the been the victims of this dreadful sale and use of these weapons act it is a terrible thing that it is prepared instead to be_ tath 0 accessory' 0 Due_cb Saimation_Uor tieth It, thounts teltte '4o thriving buctaet Sur tey EXACTLY tey great Ehat ================================================== Page 25 ================================================== Page 3 of 3 Enclosure 1 Salisbury 4-267 JNe Whe Dubap febrs MANY MORE THEe hand which held the gun that struck down Robert Kennedy last week triggered shock, horror and anger not only in one country and not alone among his fellow Americans: This duplication of the tragic conclusion to his even more famous brothers career has very properly aroused the deepest sympathy and most sincere concern of many peoples `in many lands Rhodesians and South Africans among them: In the manner in which an end has been put to a public figure'8 life taken cold-bloodedly, deliberately, neither prompted by personal hatred, nor conceived in the turmoil of war and battle there is & reflection of all those other instances when men have resorted, and still resort deliber: ately to murder a8 an instrument of politics, substituting bullets for ballots and violence for reasoning: Such methods are claiming their victims everywhere; but because the majority do not live in the limelight of international affairs few but their own immediate circles mour them. None the less are equally the targets of political terroriem and in Africa alone the toll in the past decade has reached terrible proportions. And that figure,will grow in Africa and elsewhere. Not only are there still men who are ready to use this weapon, but what is worse there are others, organisations and indivi: duals (such as the UN. Security Council and its members_ prepared to condone such actions when it suits their purpose. Assassins who down the leaders of nations are no more despicable than those whose victims are comparative nonentities, but the acts of the former home to a hitherto complacent public the enormity of such crimes: It is eaddening that prominent m+4 Eax JalL Hitare the conscience of their- fellowb are stirred jt i ao ' a biteer commentary on world trende: they gun bring ================================================== Page 26 ================================================== oRiginiACTiOn 7r vs/ DEP ARTMFNT OF STATE H-2 AIRGRAM Rop Ert F AMXR REP FOR Rm USE ONLY LEXA Eur Z A-282 WNCLASS IPIED NEA cu It INR No. Handling indicatoa 5 Arrs{nvnT To Department of Stato 10 Fbo Aid Jin j9 96 _- fx Xv AGR com FRB FRoM Anconsul, SUVA DATE: June 1, 1968 iNt LAB TAR SUBJECT Dea th of Senator Robert F. Kennedy . TR Xmb Air REF ARmy CiA NAvY 201 1, The Consulate has received twenty-eighttelegrams and lettors 0f OSD usi A 3 NSA condolence from forelgn Organizatlons ad persons in' F1ji and olsewhere 0 on the asgassination of Senator Robort 2 Kernedy , as well a3 an official call on the Consul by the Chlef Minister of Fiji) Ratu K: K. T. Mara, to express his personal sympathy ard that of the people of Fiji on the death of Senator Kennedy . A list of thobe persons and, organizations who have formally written to the Consulate 18 attacbed as an enclosura to this airgram_ should any ackowledguont of the writers! expresstons 0f Sympathy for Mrs . Kennedy be contemplated. Menbers of the Consulato staff have of course received Duerous pergonal expressions %f regret and condolences for Mrs , Konnedy from the Suva community. 2_ A letter from the Congul ha8 already beer sert to' the Departent for forwarding to Mrs. Kennedy conveying the sympathies expressed by tho Premier of Tonga and the Govornor Of Fiji and Informing Mra _ Konnedy Of Ratu Mara' 8 call on the Consul. 2 3 A Requiem Mass for Senator Konnedy wa5 said by the Archbishop of Suva , the Kost Rev George Pearce, in the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva 1 on June 1l, The Chief Minister, Ratu Mare , tre Consul attended, 4 1 4. Presg and editorial comment on the Senator' s assa88ination has been extensive in Fiji) but has been factual and restrained. Some criticisa of U.S , gur laws nas been expressed. LINK Enclosure 1. List cf Vamies . UNCLASSIFTED FOR DEPT USE ONL Y FORM 62 DS - 323 in Out Dratted by: onten73 and C3snCa7ioo PsNaher:ac 6/1L/68 Wlink Clearacces: 'Kennedy, SFHR ard ================================================== Page 27 ================================================== Page 1 of 2 pages UNCIASSIFIED Enclosure Noa 1 Suva A-282 1. H.R.H. Prince Tu' ipelehake_ Premier of Nuku 'aZofa_ Telezrari : I1 all Tonga recelved tbe sad rews wi th profound regret and gorrow mey God' 0 poace be with during her time of trial." 2. H,E. Sir Derek Jakeway , Governor Of F1jL, Suve _ Letter: "I writo to oxpregb my_doop gense of outrego at tha tragic and sengelosg a888881nation of Senator Robert Konnedy 411 in Fiji will, I kow, share my feeling that the world, as well 95 the 0.8., has lost a citlzen of incalculable value 1 and will wish to be asbociatad in Sympathy with your coun and the Kennedy fantly in this global bereavement," 3 The Hon Ratu K. K. T, Mara, Chiaf Minlster 71ji, Suva, Personal call. 4 The Hon . H Ritchie, Minister of Finance; Governent of Fiji, Suva , Letter. 5_ Robert N _ Birch, Australian Commisolonor in Fijt, Suva . Letter. 6 Frederick F_ Davis, Consular Agent of Franoe, Suva. Letter. 7 Supt. James H. Hempstead, M.B.E , for Fiji Police Band, Suva. Ietter_ 8 . B. S. Seeto, Chalrman, for Kuo Min Tang and Chinese Community in Fiji. Letter. 9. K. C, Ramrakha, Assistant Secretary , for Federation Party , Suva Letter_ 10_ Tne Ven. J _ L. Bryce, for Diocese of Polynesia, Suva. Letter. 11. Rev, 5. E. Samusamuvodre, Tavua, Fiji (Methodist) Letter. 12 = Mr . Hari Prasad, Nandi Airport Post Office, Nandi, Fiji. Iettor. 13. Mr. Y, P. C,?,0. Box Suva . Letter. D_ X. Ran a:lal F Gardhi, G.P.0. 3ox 151, Suve. Letter. UNCLASSIFIzD Tonga, her try of 80 , Reddy , ================================================== Page 28 ================================================== 2 of 2 pagas JNCLASSZFEED ZccZo3iro Noa 1 cuVa A-282 15_ Hc . D, Parsko zor Parshotam Brothers, Ltai, , C.P-: 33x 151, Suva. Letter. 16 . Nr. I. D Kepadia , for Suva Retailers Associacior: , G.?.0. Fox Suvs _ Letter) 17. Kiss Iridra 37 Fiuon Street, Toorak, Suva, * Ji. Lette. 18 iavier Ccllege, fron Frincipal and 816f1, ~i0 Telegram . 19 Nr. Joi Suva, Fiji. Tolegrai_ 20. Garage Staff , Public Works DepartnaTi> Iauocks Fij:. ixtter 5 rultiple :ires 21_ Yr. C . L. Cheng, Joong Hing; Isnn Co. 548 Letter. 22 . 2r- ?. falvudy T~sidert; for LLtoli #ty-r_- '7 tior, Iautoica , Fiji. (etter} 23 - "0 Navwaria_ Canchi) Xansger @i9 rcur?2&Gr) Scwi ictier. 24 . 7iji Bnaraiji Kcvi Sariits {Zr:_:. I Ui: "Sf 50: Nanciy "iJi (Letter sicmer y Ze0 25. Pr. K. 2. Jogia, Curing Street, S&Vis Letter. 26. Kr. Kikoo J _ Kapadia 5 President , for outa irdi: (hsnbcr of Commerce , G.P.o Box 347, Suva. (ietter) 27. Mr . A. J _ Patel, Manager ; for !*w Indio Asrcrrsc Ltd,, P_ 0 Box 71, (Letter) 28 _ C Deoki, for Girl Cuides Associatior, , i0ya: Letter. 29 Mr. Manilal K. Jogie , Pre:s_dci;i > Zor 3u7a: Letter. UNCi: Page tam, 824, 3er , Ea , Rao, 9i,na 1;av' 122 3o. , Suva. ================================================== Page 29 ================================================== DEPT_DISTRIBUTIQON ORIG IN/AC TIoN DEP ARTMENT OF STATE Pob 6 4s/Kemnedyi AIRG RAM RobErt F EUR-b RS/R REP A F ARA 'Original to be Filed in Decentralized Files. FILE DESIGNATION EUR FE NEA CU WNCT ASSIQMD !EQ A-210 INR 10 AANDLING INDICATOR No To Depertment of State FBO AID J INFO OTTAWA, QUEBEC FP[cRR k; AGR COM FRB INT FROM Anconsul MONTREAL DATE: June 14, 1968 LA8 TAR TR XMB SUBJECT Montrealere , Too, Mourned for Senator Kennedy AIR ARMY NA VY OSD REF USIA NSA CIA 3 20 Montrealerg Beemed to be a8 horrified, 8s borrowful, end 88 bewIldered by the essa881natlon Of Senator Robert Kennedy 4s their American cousLna; their grief geemed to be 88 deep ana their Involvement 88 SUGGESTED DIstRibUTION great; In large numbers el80 vetched televieion, lietened to car radio8 end read the broad coverege supplled by tbelr newepaperb _ Yo _ Ana Llke AmerLceng welted In lIneb and they preyed _ 0n f They came to the Consulete Generel to Inecribe their meb8age8 of condolences before 1t Wab announced that 0 book Of condolence wonla be dLeplayed. forwed 8 llne thet wab to continue movlng for eight and one helf bour8 dally from Tbureday through Mondey_ Post ROUTING Some merely wrote thelr neme8; othere added prayers or tola of their 0: Action Info. Initials regerd for the man , Tere wab an Inacriptton In VLetnemese among PoB/ the hundreds in Englteh Or French _ Tbetr BLgnatures fIlled four booke RCM POL Flage throughout the clty vere lovered to half 8taff Op Friday end LeoN contInued 90 through Canade ' 8 officlel of mourning on Sundey . Svs ADM Telephone mebbege8 and telegrang Of sympathy from friende end atrangers Aid begen to be recelved eerly On Thureday mornlng, to be followea by acore8 Of cards and letterb from consular repregentati- local UsIS officlale, and the public. Mayor Drapeeu ' '8 expre8s1on ofBympethy Included the obbervatLon that "Senator Kennedy , fether Of 8 lerge famly , #ll rematn One of tbe FILE most 8triking 8ymbole Of the generation Of men wbo vant to create 71 Action Taken: 8 new vorld, One baged On the principlee of order, love , and peace _ Enclogure; Montreal Pre8g Reaction to the asba881nation Date Of U,8_ Senetor Robert F. Kennedy Fos_Deeartment_Use_Qnlx FORM Initials; 10-64 DS -323 WCLASSTFTED In Out Drafted by: Drafting Date: Phone No. Contents and Classification Approved by: Igeaeielb 6/13/68 Clearances ZAlt-Akubaz U. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1966 0 202-219 (258) tbey tbey Tbey dey Veb , ================================================== Page 30 ================================================== 0f E?OP 135 CCMMUMIC , ER ;3 WW! 18 An: WP4RTNE:? OF STATE W! !8 ================================================== Page 31 ================================================== Montreel A-210 WCLASSIFIED 2 Archbishop Gregroire celebrated a memoriel ma88 at Mary Queen of the Worla Cathedral In nld-Montreal at nOOn on Friday _ Ag part Of the gervice an orgeniet pleyed a funeral march by Andre MATHTEU, a noted Quebec compober _ 9 who had died twelve hours before Senator Kennedy_ The Archbighop and Auxlllary Blshop Cihulchella (whoge beeutiful tribute in French end EnglIsh Wll be forverded a8 part Of the memorabLlie) jotned the congregetlon for a moment following the BervLce to expre88 their personal condolences to the Acting Principal Officer Of thie Consulate General . Tbe Mayor and member8 Of hig Executlve Council and the Dean Of the Montreal Congular Corp8 were among those attending the memorial gervice Nunerous other religious observance8 bave el8o commemorated tregedy _ Pre88 radlo, and televislon coverage of tbe evente of June 1n both EnglIsh end French, Wab vest; edltorial reaction was generelly sympathetic (gee enclosure) = HAWKINS WNCLASSTFIED the 6-9, ================================================== Page 32 ================================================== Fage 1 of 5 pnclosure to WNCLASSIFIED Montreal'8 A-210 MONTREAL PRESS REACTION TO TEB ASSASSINATION OF UNITED STATES SENATOR ROBERT F KENNHDY Excerpte from_Wi-tortele_In_The_Montreel_Stec: June 5. "TH TRAGEDY OF ROBERT KENNEDY. Wbere doeg 1t ena? Our gyetem. .10, for ell it8 obvioua strengths, 0 frag1le politlcal mechanlem There 18 no Bimple anbrer to vbat 18 bappening. But, uIthout 0 return to law and order, uglng both 88 bhtelde not weapon8, We are heading siftly tovards dlbabter Tbe elternative 18 Dallae, Menphie, Lob Angelee, aga1n and agein end again. Ana wlth I+, for a certainty, a frlghtened reection by the great body of ordinary nen and women whlch can lead bomerthere cloee to tyrenny. n June 6. 'o the whlte man Kennedy mlght bave appeered Bhrerd end calculat 38 too much 8 pollticlen but to the Negro he vae the only wbite pan vho spoke 8 lnguage tbat could be considered B1ncere. _ 0 .e pray that thi8 ltebt tregedy may be tranblated Into meaning by shocking all men Into ecceptance of the value8 Senetor Kennedy demandea at bone and overbeab_ .Perhape 0 nev generatlon may dl8cover that pobitive velueb are Obteinable ulthout turmoll. 0 There 1e nothing to Bay that tighter controle would bave prevented hib W Bbooting; but they mLeht bave helped. June 7. .No wrongs bave ever been rlghted by acts Of vlolence, but the opposite 18 equally true tbet Ingeneltlvity to tbe needb Of 8 boclety inevitably breede It8 0m anarchy. He bave not yet generated the heat Of pabeion In thle country whlch 18 oweeping over the AnerLcan nat but Ve can achleve a formldable temperature unlebb thoge vbo govern ana thobe vIth power ere 88 quick to renedy real and inagined Injuetice 08 they are to reprebb 1t8 8urfece n manlfebtatLonb. m The ee88881netton Of Senator Kennedy ba8 brought the Inevltable bermon8 On violence, Includlng one from Pre8ident Johnbon . Yet the gosbest example of violence in the world today I8 Viet Nem . UNCLASSIIE 1ng yet Jop, ================================================== Page 33 ================================================== 2 of 5 Zaclosure to WCLASSTEIED Montreel'0 A-210 0 June 8= 'He are tIred Of bearlng the pat reply: It 1e people wbo k1ll, not gun8 . Nongenge; people Vith gune can klllo The gun lobbyLst8 have no reabon to be proud Of thelr pobition, and Cenada cannot afford to Buccumb to thelr propagende barrage. June 10. Robert Kennedy'e death w1ll not be avenged In the punlehment Of ble murderer but In thbe enactment of legielation he sought, to raiee people above the bopelebene8s of bociel ana econonic deprivetion and elevate every man to hie rightful plece In the bun = And in tbe borrow of last weekend, there web aleo bope that et lest 0 8 nation &na 1t8 government would reepona . Excerpte from_paltortale in Te Cazette: June 6. oHbile the United State8 doee vell to gearch it8 om Boul, wbat nation cen justify any bagte In hurllng the firet Btone8? Violence 18 ell over tbe vorld. It 18 even here In Cenede, that moderate country of other yeare. It ba8 practIcelly dteeolved tbe government of France . It 18 nov erodlng the government of Itely. It cbaracterize8 the campuseb Of mobt unlver81tleb. 'The lw 18 not 8 mepu, from whlch any citizen mey pick and chooge the itemg tbat bppen to be most pleesing to hle palate. Tbe bhote fired &t Robert F. Kennedy Vere not fired by ODe man '8 finger On the trleger _ They vere triggered by 0 country, ana by 8 vorla, that 18 tolereting 0 anarchy'8 return . John Colling certon captioned 0 Anerican Gothic, efter the well- Io Grant Hood'8 patnt cericetureb the farmer 88 "Violence 0} and he wife 08 tbetr fece8 d1etorted by thege pa8eiong, one bolding 8_ epoking gun ana the other 0 revolver m June 7 IIn Robert Kennedy'8 view, tbe tegke to wblch he bad dediceted hdmgelf, 88 hib brother bad dedlcated himself, vere too important to count the pobelble cost8 to hlmself. There 18 no question, hovever, that the natlon ba8 lost a moBt valuable 80n . , John Colling cartoon ceptloned "Tbe Tarniehed Stare" depicte the bter8 and stripes of the of the United State8 being pertly 0 obecured by the smoke from the muzzle Of 8 gun called "Violence The smoke 18 labeled n 'John F. Kennedy Martin Iuther King Robert 0 F. Kennedy . WNCLASSTFIED Page ing, "Hate, flag ================================================== Page 34 ================================================== Page % of 5 Enclosure to UCLASSIHIED Mntreal'8 A-210 M June 10. In a varla tbat beemb to be turning, more end more, towara brutality end violence, riot end di8cora, Cenadlen8 have ell the more reagon to value thetr on tredition of moderetlon, ena to cling to it 'Canade ba8 plenty 0f gcope for bate, and 1t8 own potentiel for violence = It may Only be boped tbat the heritege Of moderation 11ll be valued beyond any temptation to join the viclougnese end bate, the lav-gcorning end lav-breaking that bave turned 80 much Of the worla Into a dowvard path. Tranblatlon Of Extractb from bdltorlelb In French-Language Pre8b Of Montreal LeDevor June 6 (Claude Ryen) . 1 '''Abba8e1nationb Like thobe of John Kennedy and Martin Ither 8 crIme like that of Tueedey nieht, cannot be attrIbuted solely to bolltary padmen . The euthor8 of tbebe acte are elso, In a certein gen8e, tbe exprebsion Of the goclety In whlch they Ive. They are perhepe, In ghort, the Inevitable frult of thbe cllnete of pbychologicel violence whlch In recent year8 ba8 been beclouding the politicel dialogue. And thle clInate 18 perhape, In turn, tbe 8yuptom of a bociety wbobe moral foundatione are In the proce88 Of breaking up. Thbe crine in Loe Angelee marke enother chapter Of the upbetting hletorys vorthy Of the hlgh Greek traged1ee, of the Kennedy femlly- .Robert Kennedy ba8 already embodied, through hie audaclty) what 18 mobt poverful In the tradltion Of hle country. He v1ll embody in future, through the price whlch he bas been celled to pay. the never-ending effort to clvillze that aypanic force whlch 18 at the beart Of the Americen Boul, to place it at tbe bervice Of the velues of freedom and Peace. The tragedy Of Iob Angelee renInds men of ell countrles that violence tbeatene at 0ll tIme8 to uleeeh itself On the vorld end tbat the mobt dangerous forwg are tbobe that attack not the body but the Bpirit of cIvillzatLon. Hbat honest men would dare, In thls regara, to tbrov the firet Btone at hl8 nelghbor?" June 7 (Paul Saurlol). "Tbe death Of Sepator Robert Kennedy V4ll epparently g1ve rise In the Unlted Statee to more energetlc meabure8 of protection nga1nst recourbe to violence. 'the creetlon Of 0 qmm_esion Of inqutry charged with 8tudylng the_phenomenon of violence. [ngy a n 11ll to restrict the sele Of armg , , UCLASSIHIED King, ================================================== Page 35 ================================================== Pege 4 of 5 Enclogure to UNCLASSIPIED Montreal ' 8 A-210 Montr6al-Matln June 6 (Lucien Ianglols)_ Wbet motiveted thi8 young men [Sirbep] wbo seem8 to bave premeditated his act, taken pleasure in it, and eccomplighed it with ell logic hl8 logic?. Tbls man 18 the very entithegie of a Robert Kennedy. Compabsion 18 foreign to him. He hab no respect for others . He 18 8 barbarien wIth the eppearence of a civilIzed per8on . In Our civilized barbarian8 eppear to be n teking the upper hand. June 7 (Iucien Lsnglols)_ 01 0 The Kennedy famlly 18 great and edmtr- able becaube of the example that it gives to the vorla. It accept8 the test end does not rebel becaube it 18 more Borely tried than otherb . It will not retreat. It will offer Itself agein to it8 country America 18 not decadent It Vill never be B0 08 long &8 there ere 0 Americane of the Kennedy cbarecter Ie Presge June 6 (Reneude Iapolnte). m In thet greet republic, 88 elsewhere, it 18 8 minority of extremibt8 who scorn the rights of other men, who 804 hatred and terror, who make the lew of tbe revolver rule. It 1B much too early, bowever , to dance On tbe tomb of Americen democrecy, es Babtern European countries are baetening to d0, He believe rether, 08 0 Geneve clergyman be8 hoped, tbet thib thira test w1ll require of the wbole of Americen 8ociety 0 new comltment with regard to civic n justice and order - And thet thle comItment will be undertaken . June 7 (Cuy Coruler). The edminletratton ba8 announced a geet inquiry On violence . But will enything be diecovered that ba8 not; already been know? _ .Monotony elso permeates the proposal Of tbe Attorney General Of the Unlted Statee, M_ Clerk, wbo bebteng to digcount the hypothe81e of a conbpiracy before baving mede the ingulry which, moreover , be elmobt excubeb hlmbelf for undertaking If it 1788 demonetreted tbat Robert Kennedy bad 1 fellen for Ibreel the average American coula quickly become convinced that paying Buch en exorbitant price for such a fer-off caube Vab madne8b . In thbe end, Ibolationi elvaye Jatent, would profit by thebe bloody dibeppoLnt- ment8 . clear explanation Of the drema end there 18 none 80 fer woula be better tban tbe feeling Of oollective guilt that might penetrete the goul of every citizen of the Untted Steteb_ Tbe election8 vill take plece in November AHill M_ Jobngon decide to beek another term desplte b 18 propobal to the contrary labt March? The dLeeppearance Of Robert Kennedy change8 the scenario. 'It 18 too eerly to entertein the leest UNCLASSTPIED dey, Bm, Any ================================================== Page 36 ================================================== Fage 5 Of 5 Enclobure to WNCLASSIFIED Montreal'8 A-210 certainty on that polnt _ It 18 Senator McCarthy, On the other band, who may, in the courbe of the coming weeke, appear e8 the nev heir Of the lete Robert Kennedy. Hhat 18 certain, hovever , 18 that tele- vIston 18 going to play 8 8t111 geater role in tbe courbe Of thie 0 cempeign, the street end the crowd having become too murderoub_ June 8 (Roger Champoux) _ The entire vorld which todey 18 looklng et the cabket of Robert Kennedy and 18 rieing UP againgt the bebtiel cruelty whlch ba8 fetbered Buch en abominable crime, in 0 few days #lll look to Weshlngton. If the Americen legiblature doe8 not pabb 0 law tbat uill becone a world gtandard, then there 18 no bope; and cIvlllzation will bave to admit rebuff . Above ell; let u8 [Canadtang] not 8ey It can 't bappen herel ' Thble voula mean they have Bbort mebory, Violence and fanatlciem have been the weapong of 1ndlvlduals Ip tble very CIty: Nelther you nor I nor enyone wIbheb to live through m daye and nLghte Of the fury of the FIQ..J Trenblation Of Extracte from Ealtorielb in Ia_Trtbune Sherbrooke, ProvInce Of Quebec June 6 (Ioui8-C. 0'He1l). W :A8 a marginal note, there are reLbed queetLong for the most importent politIcal personege8 In the United State8 to anguer . rbat bort Of netton ere 1e? He regard ourbelveb 88 a cIvilized people) but 18 that the Cabe? Are tbebe actionb BymptometIc Of vbat we really are? S1mlr drama8 are burprieing when they take place eleewhere, but wben they occur here, It 18 time to teke action _ Ie thle the rebult of 8 plot or the action of 8 bolltary murderer?. 6 June 7 (Iouls-C. 0'Ne1l). .Thie political murder, tbe gecona In the bame femily In le8g tben flve yearb, ought to make people reflect m On both b1de8 Of the border! UNCLASSTTIE 1" ================================================== Page 37 ================================================== PRTGN/ Actiom DEP ARTMENT OF STATE Kznyy, Pet Rskect F Ref A F AIRG RAM 19 FOR RM USE ONLY RA EUR FE Ar (pt.1 us Io A-939 LImitEd OFFICIAL USE JntE EA Cu INR No AANDLING INDICA TOR To DEPARTMENT 0F STATE 2FCFIVED [0 Fbo AID Jx |8 23#Ee T8 GR COM Frb FROM AmEmbassy CARACAS DATE: June 14 , 1968 LAB TA R SUBJECT Caracas Municipa | Counci | Pays Last Respects to Senator Kennedy R Xb AiR REF None Rmy CIA NAvY 60 Usi NSA The President, Secretary and three member s of the Caracas Municipal Coun- 10 ci | called on Ambassador Bernbaum June 1, to present their condolences for the death of Senator Robert Kennedy NJ After the usual introductions , the Secretary read a proc lamat ion which in- cluded the fol lowing remarks: "'Considering that the lamentab le death (of Kennedy) produced an obvious crisis in the US political and cultural Iife and that violence in the US and the wor Id has been causing deaths of MTlustrious persons soc ial di s- orders , internationa l hatred _ and the persecut ion and destruction of people; (the Counci 1) Agrees to Condemn emphat ically in the name of the peop le of Caracas, the assaasina- tion of this dist ingui shed North American citizen ; (and) Mani fests that In the op inion of the Municipal Counci | the death of Kennedy is an expres- s ion of a state of violence supported by forces which asp ire to halt and 1 detain the deve lopment and exerci se of freedom arnong all the wor Id' s peop le.' 17 The Ambassador thanked the Delegat i on for their expression of sympathy but pointed out that the death of Kennedy a cruel ard meaningless act , cou ld not in fairness be said to ref lect US society _ This terrible deed , con- demned throughout the wor Id , was apparent ly the work of one demented indi = 7 vidual When the Delegat ion terated some statements made in their declaration the Ambassador repeated that it is neither just nor reasonable to condem a whole peop le or to charge a whole society is sick because of a reprehensible act which cou Id have occurred anywhere FOR DEPI USE ONL Y FORM LMLIEDOEELCIAL_USE DS-323 (in Out 62 @tted by: Contents an CTasainicaticu Tpproved )y uS4S/GRCa l Laway:ejd US SIESchechter cereoces: POL/KB Jenk ns (draft) Ls] rei - ================================================== Page 38 ================================================== LImitEd OFFIC IAL USE Page 2 Caracas A-939 COMMENT : The attitudes expressed by the distingu i shed membe: $ of the Municipal Counci | unfortunately ref lect the vi sceral react iOns of many Venezuelans , both friends and foes of the US _ (See A-919, June 7 1968 . ) Despite careful and frequent repet i t ion of the Ambassador ' s remarks by many mem- ber s of the Country Team _ ) a great number of Venezuelans persist in ink- ing the Kennedy assasinat ion to an overal condemnat i on of the US BERNBAUM Enc losure: The proc lamation is enc losed For presentation at the De- partment 5 discret ion to the Kennedy fami ly LIMITED OFFICHAL USE ================================================== Page 39 ================================================== ORigin/AcTION DEP ARTMENT OF STATE Ret Us | Rnt ; a?_ RM/ R REP AF 1 AJRGRAM FOR RM USE ONLY ARA EUR FE Jnne 10 A-689 UNCLASSIFIED XR 6i86-xus_ Ent NEA CU INR No. AANDLIN INDIcA TOR To DEPARTMENT OF STATE 10 2 ~P4 AID s1 3s /0 AGR com FRB FROM Amembassy LIMA DATE: June 14 , 1968 iNT LAB TAR SUBJECT Reaction in Peru to Death of Senator Kennedy TR XMB AIR REF ARMY CiA NAVY SUMMARY OSD USI A NSA 1o The grief and consternation in Peru at the death of Senator 3 Kennedy , who was widely admired in this country and well-known Ns from his successful 1965 visit here , was deep, widespread and heartfelt, almost identical in tone and scarcely smaller in degree to the reaction following the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963 The upwell- of emotion in Peru occasioned by Senator Kennedy' s tragic death underscored not Peru' s feeling for the Senator and his family but also the fundamental warmth ana community of interests underlying US-Peruvian relations _ 8 * * * * * * * * 2 The November 10-13, 1965 visit to Peru by Senator Robert F . KENNEDY and Mrs _ Kennedy was very successful The crowds 1 surrounding them both in Lima and in Cuzco during their visit 4 were heavy and very Eriendly, and the Senator made a most favorable impression on Peruvians of all levels of society_ Thus Senator Robert Kennedy was well-known and highly esteemed in Peru News of his assassination therefore caused a wide and deep impression among Peruvians_ many of whom regarded him not only as a rising U.S_ political leader carrying on in the tradition of his late brother the President, but as a friend of Peru who shared many of the hopes and aspirations widely cherished by most Peruvians. UNCLASSIFIED FOR DEPT USE ONLY FORM DS -323 Io Out 4 62 Drafted By: Contents and Classificetion Approved POL: Catd8zph :mer "ChargeoEWgiracusa Clearaaces: POL : FKOrtiz USIS HE lwoqdt Hx aY2c ing only ================================================== Page 40 ================================================== N-ASS;> ANi ~cLmLiak FOR CONGRESSIONAL RELATiQNS 1988 JUN 18 PM 5 03 ================================================== Page 41 ================================================== Lima A- 639 2 UNCLASSIFIED On the morning of June 5 radio and television newscasts in Lima were overwhelmingly dominated by news of the shooting, and the afternoon papers front paged the story under huge red headlines The Charge ' Affaires ad interim issued a statement deploring II this horrible and senseless assassination attempt " and stating that, # as expressed previously by President JOHNSON we can do no more at this time than pray for Senator Kennedy S recovery and for the recovery of the other victims of the shooting_ This statement, together with President Johnson S , were widely carried by radio and television in Lima President Fernando BELAUNDE Terry sent a personal message of regret to the Kennedy family, and the Peruvian Governme nt' s press spokesmen declared that the news of the shooting had m1 'produced a_ mournful impact in the Presidential Palace Declarations of horror and sadness were made by Peru' s Primate, Juan Cardinal LANDAZURI Ricketts, and by spokesmen of the major itical parties_ Prime and Foreign Minister Oswaldo HERCELLES telephoned the Embassy to voice regret , as dia the President of the Chaaber of Deputies_ the Chief of Protocol_ and repre- sentativ irst Vice President Edgardo SEOANE and Finance Minister Manuel ULLOA, besides political leaders, other personalities and ordinary Peruvian citizens During the Prime and Foreign Minister' s meeting with the Diplomatic Corps later in the he expressed to the Charge his profound sorrow personally and for his Govern - ment , over the attack on Senator Kennedy . On June 6 the news of Senator Kennedy' s death caused great sorrow and consternation, with opinions ranging from simple expressions of sympathy to suggestions of the existence in the United States of a criminal conspiracy to silence voices of progress _ President Belaunde sent a message of condolence to Mrs Kennedy , and Cardinal Landazuri made a public statement pointing out that "crime and violence do not produce anything positive but rather negate human rights_ the basis for all democracy ana social progress _ Press coverage continued to be very great _ Several Lima newspapers , notably El Comercio, editorially called for an end to hatred and the 11 reestablishment of reason" in the United States, while Exprese blamed the assassination on powerful mafias" as well as psychological factors produced by three wars UNCLASSIFIED pol day ================================================== Page 42 ================================================== Lima A-689 3 UNCLASSIFIED The Embassy opened a book of condolences in the Embassy lobby on June 6 , and from the opening of business through the following hree days many persons of all stations in life called at the Embassy to leave cards ana to sign the book_ which ul timately received 223 signatures This book of condolences and the cards will be transmitted to the Department separately _ The Embassy also received during the next three days about 50 letters ana 25 telegrams from Peruvians regretting the Senator S death Two Cabinet Ministers, First Vice President Edgardo SEOANE _ the father of President Belaunde _ Peruvian Senators and Deputies and Chiefs of Mission and other dignataries called at the Embassy on June 6 , several of them personally expressing to the Charge their sorrow and sympathy_ The Charge prepared for the Embassy" S staff bulletin a special statement on the Senator' s death (text contained in Enclosure No 1) which he later taped in Spanish for radio and television at the latter S request , and which was widely broadcast On June 7 _ the after the Senator S death , the Lima press , radio and television continued to devote vast amounts of time and space to the assassination with the press editorializing about the deed and publishing wire service accounts covering all conceivable aspects of the crime An editorial in Correo listed a number of world leaders who have been assassinated_ pointing out that this type of crime was not confined to the United States _ El_Comercio expressed hope that the tragedies suffered by the Kennedy family were now ended _ The President of the Chamber of Deputies , Armando VILLANUEVA del Campo, sent messages 0f condolence to Mrs Kennedy to Senator Kennedy' s father Ambassador Kennedy ana to Vice President HUMPHREY . Both the Peruvian Senate and the Chamber of Deputies had adjourned June 6 in respect to the memory of the Senator Because of the profound effect caused in Peru by the Senator S death the Embassy took the initiative to organize a requiem mass in the church of Santa Maria Reina, where a mass had been celebrated in November 1963 in memory of President John F KENNEDY An American priest , the Rev . Fr Robert HIELE _ officiated, assisted UNCLASSIFIED day ================================================== Page 43 ================================================== Lima A-689 UNCLASSIEIED by a Peruvian and a Spanish priest to symbolize , according to Fr. Hiele, the international citizenship of Robert Kennedy - The Papal Nuncio, Msgr Romulo CARBONI was also a participant on the altar The service, held at 1o:00 a.m on June 8 the hour fixed for the funeral services in New York, was conducted in Spanish , although Fr - Hiele' s sermon was in English _ His theme was peace= which k felt was Senator Kennedy' s quest , and he chose green vestments for the con- celebrants to serve as a symbol of hope _ The Embassy sent special notification of the mass to the President _ the Cabinet , the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Diplomatic Corps , and also invited the American community and Peruvians at large by public notification The church was entirely filled during the service_ with an estimated 500 persons in attendance _ President Belaunde _ who was prevented from attending due to his receiving the credentials of two new Chiefs of Mission, was represented by an Aide Among the dignitaries present were First Vice President Seoane the President of the Supreme Court, the Presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies the Ministers of Finance, Labor , and Development the leader of the Christian Democratic Party, a number of Senators, Deputies and former Ministers _ Many Ministers who could not attend in person sent representatives, as did the Chiefs of the Armed Forces The Diplomatic Corps was almost entirely represented by Ambassadors or Charges _ Officers of the various American community organizations were present as were a great number 0f Peruvians of all stations in life_ One public school sent a color guard of about 15 boys_ all in uniform . The occasion was in every way solemn and fitting, and the service and the representation it evokea testified not only to Peruvian feeling for Senator Kennedy and for his family, but also to the fundamental warmth and community of interest which underlies U.S. and Peruvian relations On the afternoon of June 8 the American Maryknoll priests offered a high requiem mass in the church of Santa Rosa de Lima which was crowded with Peruvians of the middle and lower- middle classes The Embassy was represented at this mass , at which the Auxilary Bishop of Lima Officiated, by the Charge _ UNCLASSIFIED ================================================== Page 44 ================================================== Lima A-689 5 UNCLASSIFIED A copy of the program of this requiem mass is contained in Enclosure No _ 2 On Sunday June 9 , declared a of National Mourning in the United States , the interdominational Union Church 0f Lima remembered Senator Kennedy in special prayers while the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd held a memorial service. A copy of the program of this service is contained in Enclosure No 3 _ The American Marianist priests at the chapel 0f the Santa Maria Reina church also offered special prayers for the Senator in the course 0f their regular Sunday service_ Attendance at mass in Lima S churches on June 9 was unusually heavy and prayers were offered in many of then for the repose of the soul of Senator Kennedy - Follow- on press coverage continued to be heavy for several days after June 9 The outpouring of grief and shock wab not limited to the Lima area Provincial Peruvian radio and press organs gave very heavy coverage to the assassination, and many editorials reflecting Peru' s emotions appeared in the provincial press _ In Arequipa, Peru S second city the U.S _ Consul reports that the expressions of sorrow were truly impressive _ On June 6 all three local newspapers devoted almost their entire front pages to the Kennedy tragedy _ The Prefect of Arequipa, absent in Lima, sent a special telephone message to the U.S_ Consul who was called upon by the Sub-Prefect _ The Mayor of Arequipa sent a cable message to President Johnson _ The Archbishop of Arequipa, the Commanding General of the III Military Region and the Arequipa representative of the Ministry of Foreign Relations all called on the Consul and asked that their sympathies be conveyed to the Kennedy family - Political leaders tele- phoned the Consul or sent notes of condolence The Consul arranged for an ecumenical prayer service to be held June 8 in the recently-restored 17th century Iglesia de la Comparia just off Arequipa' s Plaza de Armas in which an American Roman Catholic priest_ an American Baptist missionary and the Consul participated. This was followed by a requiem mass celebrated by American priests Erom the various Roman Catholic orders active in Arequipa_ On June 9 the U.S_ Consul read a eulogy of Senator Kennedy at a luncheon of the Local American society. UNCLASSIFIED day ================================================== Page 45 ================================================== Lima A-689 UNCLASSIFIED The Charge has had a card printed to be sent to the persons offering their condolences and indicating their name and address in order to acknowledge and thank them _ One of these cards is transmitted as Enclosure No . 4 In summary , the reaction in Peru to the tragic death of Senator Kennedy was almost identical in tone= and only smaller in degree, to the reaction which followed the assassination of President Kennedy four and a a half Years previously . Enclosures: No _ l- U.S. Embassy News Bulletin No _ 2- Program of requiem mass at SIRACUSA church of Santa Rosa de Lima No . 3- Program of service at church of the Good Shepherd_ No . 4- Card sent by Charge acknowledging condolences _ 'NCLASSIFIED ================================================== Page 46 ================================================== I} E~ brg-_ H ================================================== Page 47 ================================================== 4 U: $. EMBASSY NEWS BULLETiN L | M A P E R U Volume 6, No. 23 June 6, A NEWS BULIETIN BY AND U.S AGENCTES IN PERU STATEMNT By_PRESIDENT JOHNSON "This 1s a time of tragedy and loss. Senator Robert F. Kenredty is dead. Robert Kennedy affirmed this country affirmed the essential decency of its people their longing for peace , thetr desire to improve conditions of life for all.: During his life, he knew far more than his share of personal tragedy . Yet he never abandoned his faith in America. He never lost his confidence in the spiritual strength of ordinary men and women. He belleved in the capacity of the young for excellence and in the right of the old and poor to a_ life of dignity. Our public life is diminished by his loss . Mrs. Johnson and I extend our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Kennedy and hls family. I have issued a proclamation C alling upon our nation to observe a of' M mourning for Robert Kennedy" PRESTDENT JOHNS ON '8 FROCLAMATION "To the people of the United States: A noble and compessionate leader_ a {nd faithful servant of the people , in the full vigor of his promise, lies dead from an assassin S bullet. The tragedy and the senseless violence of Robert Kenndy S death casts a shadow of grief across America and across the world. This is a_ moment fer all Americans to join hands and walk together through this dark night of common anguish into a new dawn of healing unity. Now = therefore, I, Lyndon B: Johnson, President of the United States, do call upon all Americans to observe Sunday next, the ninth day of June , as a day of national mourning in his memory throughout the United States. In our churches , in our homes, and in our hearts let us resolve before God and before each other that the purpose of progress and justice for which Robert @: Kennedy lived shall endure _ (Cont d page 3 ) 1968 day good deep ================================================== Page 48 ================================================== EMBASSY USIS DUTY_QEFICERS 6/7/68 Harry Elwood Home Phone 27392 6/7/68 Roger McCarthy Home Phone 23483 SWITCHBOARD OPERATOR 6/14/68 Peter Moraga 6/7/68 Dulce Piqueras Home Phone 21438 Hone Phone 35083 7/5/68 Robert York Home Phone 51553 USAID DUTY STENOGRAPHERS DUEY_QEEICERS 6/7/68 Gloria Perez Las Magnolias 770 6/7/68 Ignacio Carranza Apt. 1 San Isidro 28 de Julio 631 Miraflores 6/14/68 Donna Gallahue Home Phone 20773 6/14/68 David Armijo Angamos 1133 7/5/68 Mildred Rodstrom Apt. 201 Las Magnolias 645 Miraflores San Isidro 6/21/68 william Coulehan COMMUNICATIONS CLERK X 227 Calle Recuerdo 185 Chacarilla del Estanque 6/7/68 George Harris Home Phone 28634 DUTY SECRETARIES TELECOMMUNICATIQNS OPERATOR X 229 6/7/68 Hilda de Quiroz Edificio Los Jazmines 6/7/68 Charles Murphy Apt- 403 Paul Harris 282 Residencial San Felipe San Isidro 6/14/68 Haydee Quispe DEFENSE ATTACHES General varela 1418 Brena 6/7/68 NSgt . Wilbur Korthals Home Phone 56085 6/21/68 Irma Rios Hone Phone 36340 ================================================== Page 49 ================================================== PRESIDENT_JOHNSON'8 ROCLAMATION (Cont'4) I direct that until interment the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff on all buildings, grounds and naval vegsels of the Federal Govern- ment in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and it8 territories and possessions. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time al all Untted States Embassies, Iegations, Consular Offices, and other facilities abroad, Including all mllltary facilitles and naval vessels and stations. In witness whereof_ I have hereunto set my hand thls sixth of June, In the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and 8ixty-eight and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and ntnety-second_ Indon B Johnson STATEMENT BY T CHARGE D= AFFATRES AD INTERIM aL1 members of the American Dplomatic Mission; Once egain 8 great Amerlcan family has been stricken by tregedy . An assassin s bullet has now ended the 11fe of Senator Robert Fe Kennedy , who mLght have been our president, Just as the life was ended of hl8 brother John Fa Kennedy , who was our President, We can only contemplate thls terrible event with grief In our hearts; grLef for thts fine and vIital young man now departed; grief for his widow and hls chldren, and his chlld unborn; and grief for our nation and for the entlre world which has surely been diminished by this 1oss. In hls ever active l1fe, Rcbert Kennedy came to be known to millions of AmerIcans and to others throughout the world_ Those of us who remember his visit to Lima two and a half years ag0 WIll not forget the vIbrancy of his per- sonality, or the genuine affection with which he was greeted by Peruvians, hlgh and low_ many of whom simply called him "Bob"_ Nor will we forget the ever present and graclous flgure of his beloved wife, Ethel Kennedy . Senator Kennedy W1ll be burled at Arlington Natlonal Cemetery on Saturday. President Jobnson has proclaimed, Sunday , June S, a of netional mourning in his memory Undoubtedly there will be special services, which many will Wish to attend, and these will be announced, In the meantlme , and as we all mourn this tragedy In our own personal weys , we must wonder, as does the world, why our natlonal political life has been SO visited with vIolence; violence which Is as surely unthinkable to almost all of our 200 million citizens 8s it 1s stark and terrible In the reality of its execution by that small handful whlch 18 committed to vialence = President John F_ Kennedy , the Rev. Martin Luther King &nd now Senator Robert Fa Kennedy , all men of goodwill, ell cruelly assassinateda I pray , as ~ 3 G (Cont'd page 4 ) day "or yet day ================================================== Page 50 ================================================== STATEMNT BY T CHARGE D AFFATRES, AD INTERTM (Cont'd) I am sure We all must, that these deaths will not have been In vain: I am confident that our nation will find answers to the terrible questions which beset it and that the causes which lead men to violence, in the measure that It will be removed. Ernest V. Siracusa Charge d' Affaires, ad interim Traduccibn) DECLARACIONS DEL ENCARGADO DE NEGOCICS AD INTERTM PARA TODaS LOS MTEMRCS DE LA MISION DIPLOMATICA NCR TEAMRICANA Una vez mas una gran familia norteamericana ha sido agobiada por la trage- dia, La bala de un asesino ha puesto ahora fin a la vida del Senador Robert F Kennedy que pudo haber sido nuestro Presidente, tal C:O otra lo hizo con la vida de su hermano , John F_ Kennedy , quien era nuestra Pres_dente. Podemos solamente contemplar este terrible evento con pena en nuestros Co- razones; pena para este excelente hombre joven Lleno de vitalidad que ha falleci- pena por su viuda y sus hijos Y el hijo que aun esta por nacer; J pena por nuestra patria y por el mundo entero que ha sufrido una perdida con esta sensi- ble desaparicion, Durante sU vida siempre activa, millones de ncrteamericanos y de otras nacionalidades de todo el mundo llegaron a conocer a_ Robert Kennedy. AqueLlos de nosotros que recordamos su visita a Lima hace dos afos y medio, no olvidamos lo vibrante de su personalidad, 0 el sincero afecto con el cual fue recibido por los peruanos de toda condicion social, muchos de quienes lo Llamaban simplemente "Bob It Ni tampoco olvidaremos 1a siempre rresente y graciosa figura de su amada esposa, Ethel Kennedy_ El Senador Kennedy sera sepultado en el Cementerio Nacional de Arlington el proximo sabado. El Presidente Johnson rha proclamado en su memoria el dia domingo 9 de junio como uno de" duelo nacional: Sin duda habran servicios especiales a los que muchos gustarLan asistir y estos seran anunciados oportunamente. Mientras tanto, y al condolernos de esta tragedla en nuestra propia manera, deberemos asombrarnos, como lo hace todo el mundo, el por nuestra vida poli- tica, nacional ha sido visitada as1 por la violencia; una violencia que es,de toda seguridad, increfble para casi' todos nuestros 200 mllones de ciudadanos, como lo es completa y terrible en la realidad de su ejecucion para un pequeno pufado que esta entregado a la violencia. Presidente John F Kennedy , Reverendo Martin Luther King y ahora, Senador Robert F, Kennedy , todos hombres de buena voluntad y todos cruelmente asesinados. Ruego y estoy seguro que todos lo haran que estas muertes no hayan sido en vano. Tengo la seguridad de que nuestro pafs encontrara las respuestas a las terribles interrogantes que lo acosan y que las causas conducen a_ los hombres a la Violencia, seran eliminadas en La medida en que ello sea posible. Ernest V. Siracusa Encargado de Negocios, ad interim they may , do; que que

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Released: April 18, 2025

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