Transcript of pol_6_us_kennedy_06_15_1968_senator_robert_f._kennedy-part_4_of_6.pdf

================================================== Page 1 ================================================== Page 1 of 1 Enclosure No _ 2 Lusaka 4-465 June 14, 1968 Zambia Mail 5 Kamanga replies to US protest USAKA, Thursday. The United States embassy here has protested against Zam: bia's reaction to the assassination last week of Senator Robert Kennedy. The For- eign Minister, Mr Reuben Kamanga, said the protest note implied that Zambia blam- ed the Senators death on the US Government: But Mr Kamanga emphasi- brother President John Ken- pattern where outstanding zed that this was a misunder nedy.and civil rights leader Dr ieaders could only be protec standing of Zambia's view Martin Luther King; could be ted _ when they were dead: He which was outlined by Presi- the work of mad men. Even said 500 _ police offcers had dent Kaunda' on his return then, a mad man_can be used been at New_York airport only from his visit to Kenya and as an instrument" the minis to receive Robert Kennedy's Uganda last week: ter pointed out; dead body. Mr Kamanga said: "This is Mr Kamanga said it was "far: President Kaunda said: "We not what the people of Zambia fetched" to suggest that Sena; regard those people who strike are saying: What they are say- tor Kennedy was assassinated at the international problems is that American politics because of the pro-Israel re- as OuI friends: Bobby Kennedy have become politics of gun- marks he had made sometime was one of the few American powder whether they admit back on the Middle East situa- leaders who identified himself it or not:" tion. with the poor: For a rich man "Could he have died just to come down and speak the for_this?" Mr Kamanga asked: voice of the poor; he declared, Condemned Why are the People who Mjs not an easy to 9} actually supply the (war) achieve: materials left untouched? We The minister,_who accompa- don't know who has been com- nied President Kaunda on his - mitting the murders but there East African tour; said the has definitely been some care- Note was handed in by the ful_planning: " US Ambassador; Mr Robert Zambia wanted friendship Good who was among the with America like other foreign diplomats who wel- countries but this did not comed President Kaunda at mean fearieg to speak out on Lusaka International Airport such important; international 0n his return: matters as political assassina- Mr Kamanga said: "It is not tions, the minister said. good to hide something _ bad On his return from East it must be condemned , for Africa, President Kaunda com- what it is. The American mented on the death of the people must prove they are de Kennedys and Dr King: "We cent and disassociate themsel- must make our view known to ves from this very bad thing the American Government. We which has occurred SO fre- fail to understand that Jeaders 9} quently in recent years: of that type can be assassi- It was difficult to believe nated at all. that' _ the death of Senator The President criticised Kennedy, or that of his what he called "a very strange ing, thing ================================================== Page 2 ================================================== DEPARTMENT OF STATE RSJR FLTES Washington, D.C. 20520 Mr Rielly in VP ' s office Attention_ haltuth _ SIS 9171 approved 7/1/68 and request that Keep this Ztudy togother. H8 COPTES TO a cable be sent bd the desk in the RF Jepartment. Miss cunningham June 24, 1968 ARA called _ ARA/APU RDS CFBkc Swt 7/3 A ThnEikdeo' 196949 P MEMORANDUM FOR MR: JOH E. RIELLY S /CPR OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT Subject: Message from Uruguayan Senate on the Assault on Senator Robert F_ Kennedy The Uruguayan Senate delivered a message concerning the assault on Senator Robert F Kennedy to the Embassy prior to the death of the Senator_ It was requested that the message be delivered to the United States Sena te_ The message was signed by Tice President Alberto E. Abdala, who is also President of the Uruguayan Senate, and Senator Jose Pastor Salvanach, Secretary of the Senate_ We suggest 8 that the Vice President may wish to ackowledge this message, and we enclose a proposed reply Elc:l}e Benjamin F. Read 6 Executive Secretary c* Cwm} Enclosures: True Ccpy 1_ Suggested reply to the Truguayan Senate 2 Message from the Uruguayan Senate with translation ARA/APU i: ILSanders:rd 6/19/68 Clearances : X x 2310 Qr ARA/APU Mr_ Lowenthal S ARA Miss Eltz 63 Mr _ J Briggsk Mr_ Coate s/s Mr . Parker_ 8/CPR Mr _ Sancho-Bonet: ZZONLMed 3Y S/S: 4235 WICaqEIWev 2 1283 ~04 Eso CMS ================================================== Page 3 ================================================== DEPARTMEVT OF STATE Suggested_Reply Dear President Abdala: The tragic and untimely assassination of Senator Robert F_ Kennedy has come as a great shock to all Americans. As President of The United States Sena I express Iy deepest appreciation for your message. Your solidarity with us in this time of is a source of comfort and consolation. Sincerely, His Ecellency Alberto E. Abdala President of the Senate of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay te, grief ================================================== Page 4 ================================================== THE SENATE To the President of the Senate of the United States of America The Senate of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay expresses its horror and shock at the lamentable attack on the life of Senator Robert Kennedy, and transmits its expressions of soliderity on this tragic occasion _ Is/ ALBERTO E. ABDALA Is/ President JOSE PASTOR SALVANACH Secretary " ================================================== Page 5 ================================================== se S_ado: LCs SENOR PRES IDENTE DEL SENADO DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA El Senado de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay manifiesta su horror y desconcierto ante el doloroso atentado contra el Senador Robert Kennedy, y transmite sus ex- presiones de solidaridad en esta tragica circunstancia. L tLANLa ALBERTO E ABDALA Presidente 2/AL-4 JOSE PASTOR S ALVATACH Secretario Giraec' ================================================== Page 6 ================================================== ORJGIN / Action DEP AR TMENT OF ST ATE kL 6 uskattedy RM/ R RUP AF airGram Kobzat / FOR RM USE ONLY RA EUR FE A-757 UN CLASSIFIED NEA CU INR No KANDLING INDICA ToR To Department of State I0 Jla 2 21 RKG Fbo AID 917l KCh GR COM FRB FROM Amembassy MONTEVIDEO DATE: June 10, 1968 Nt LA B TAR SUBJECT GOU Senate Message on Shooting of Robert Kennedy TR XMB AIR REF RmY CIA NA vY OSD USI A NSA Enclosed for transnittal to the United States Senate is the original and an English translation of a message from the 3 Senate of Uruguay expressing the latter' s horror and shock" over the shooting of Senator Robert F Kennedy. The message was delivered to the Embassy prior to Senator Kennedys deatho It i8 signed by Alberto E. ABDALA; President of the Senate and Vice President of Uruguaya TOPPING 2 wwm 4 1 Enclosures: 1. Message from Uruguayan Senate 20 English translation UNCLASSIFIED FOR WEPT USE ONLY FORM DS-323 Io Out 4 - 62 Drafted by: Classiticarioo Tpproved by: POLMM:WHGussmar"Jip T862AASBMcEeaino Sfs learaaces: ADCM:NVMcCausland `YWT ) 4. 2 RZCEIVE ================================================== Page 7 ================================================== UNCLASSIFIED Enclosure No_ 1 A-757 from Montevideo 9171. CAMARA DE SENADORES Seior Presidente del Senado de los Estados Unidos de America El Senado de la Reptblica Oriental del Uruguay manifiesta su horror y desconcierto ante el doloroso atentado contra el Sena- dor Robert Kennedy, y transmite sus expresiones de solidaridad en esta tragica circunstancia. ALBERTO E. ABDALA Presidente JOSE PASTOR SALVANACH Secretario ================================================== Page 8 ================================================== UNCLASSIFIED Enclosure No. 2 A-757 from Montevideo THE SENATE To the President of the Senate of the United States of America The Senate of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay expresses its horror and shock at the lamentable attack on the life of Senator Robert Kennedy, and transmits its expressions of solidarity on this tragic occasion. ALBERTO E. ABDALA President JOSE PASTOR SALVANACH Secretary UNCLASSIFIED ================================================== Page 9 ================================================== ORIGIN Astion DEP AR TMENT OF STATE Nea- e F1 & ufrerredy, Rm/ R REP A F AIRG RAM Ro6exT 1 FOR RM USE ONLY A RA EUR FE 4-678 CONFIDENTTAL NEA CU INR No HANDLING INOICA ToR To Department of State ReceivEd 10 2 INFO ISFAHAN, KHORRAMSHAHR , MSHED , TABRIZ FBO AID Ju:' Zi Sj Hli Zik res/An AGR COM FRB FROM Amembassy TEHRAN DATE June 24, 1968 INT CA B TAR SUBJECT Reaction to Kennedy Assassination TR XMB ATR REF ARMY CIA NA VY 20 SUMARY OSD USIA NSA 3 The assassination of Senator Robert Kennedy caused Nsc reaetions of shock and dismay among Iranians Official response seened delayed , &pparer because of the absence of the Shah in Ethiopia, but after June 7 proinent Irani officials expressed their sym- pathy in the Condolence Book at the Embassy and to Embassy officers Press coverage was closely moni- tored and generally straight-forward , though some editorials were critical of the climate of violence alleged to exist in the United States Iranians profess to believe that the assassination was a plot , possibly connected with the assassinations of President John F Kennedy and Martin Luther King- The GOI S handling of the news showed its sensitivity on the subject of assassination and to the possibility of an emotional reaction with political overtones * * * * * * * * The shooting and death of Senator Robert Kennedy caused reactions of shock and dismay among Iranians many of whon keenly admired the Senator and the late President Kennedy as the leaders of a new outlook in tics , concerned for peace and the underprivileged _ The Senator S campaign for the Presidency has attracted considerable attention here , and the impact of his death was heightened by the recent assassination of Martin Luther King. CONFTDENTTAL FORDEPT_USE ONLY FoR DS -323 In Out 4 Drafted by; ontents ,ud CTassification Approved By: 3E:Wfchzud:pcLgh_ 6/22/68 POL Jobn A Armi Clearances: PROTO:ZueniYas (In draft) CHARGE: RHarlan [ M:JtalhtbetQ 7/57< 44 +*hih LU_ ntly an : Many 4 poli tage (EtL ================================================== Page 10 ================================================== Tehran A- 678 Page 2 CONFIDENTTAL Official Reactions and other Condolences The Shah, in Ethiopia at the time of the shooting, a cable to Mrs Kennedy expressing his sympathy and that of the Empress _ After the Sena- tor' s death, the Shah sent 8 message of condolence to Mrs _ Kennedy and a similar message to President Johnson _ Prime Minister Hoveyda sent a message to MrS . Kennedy on June 7 or 8, and Foreign Minister Zahedi sent one to the Secretary of State _ During the four-dey period in which the Embassy Condolence Book was open for signature, over 300 persons came in to express their sympathy and regrets _ Prime Minister Hoveyda led the list of Iranian Government officials who came to the Embassy in person. (The book is currently being bound and will be submitted separately, along with letters of condolence that have been received) _ There was some delay in the expression of official regrets to the Embassy , apparently caused by the usual hesitancy of Government leaders during the Shah S absence _ A number of Iranian Officials personally telephoned officers of the Embassy to express their sympathy and concern. Authorities in Tabriz broadcast @ notice concerning the Condolence Book at the Consulate , which was signed by the Governor-General, Military Commanders and approximately 1OO others The American Consul in Khorramshahr reported that Iranians were shocked and grieved , and that many went out of their way to express their sympathy_ The news was received with dismey in Isfahan, although few persons called or visited the Consulate to express their condolences _ A memorial service was held in the Anglican church in Shiraz _ In Meshed few came to the Consulate, but there was considerable discussion among local residents about the motivation for the assassination. Press_Coverage and Editorial Reection During the days immediately following the shooting the death of the Senator press coverage was limited. Not until Saturday 9 June 8, was the story given heavy play in the press_ Editorials then began appearing which lamented the assassination and praised the Senator S principles and his qualities of leadership. A number of editorials commented on the climate of violence in a society where guns are readily available and speculated about the meaning of the assassinations of President Kennedy= 9 Senator Kennedy , and Martin Luther King_ Echo conmented June 17 that the press had become indifferent to the US presidential campaign after the assassi- nation; and was reporting mainly on the crime itself_ CONFIDENTIAL sent and ================================================== Page 11 ================================================== Tehran A- 678 Page 3 CONFIDENTTAL Plot Theories Iranians who are inclined to see plots and nefarious machinations in many events have forward a number of theories blaming the assassination on a concocted by persons opposed to Senator Kennedy because of one or more of his cies (e.g. Viet-Nam and/or racial integration) _ Iranians are even more receptive to this type of thinking because of the recent assassination f Martin Luther King and memories of the death of President Kennedy; some attempt to link the three assassinations 0.8, Community Charge 8 'Affaires Robert H. Harlan sent a message to all Americans in Tehran giving guidance on matters relating to the assassination. Special prayers were offered at church services attended by the American community_ COMEVT The early hesitation in official and press attention to the assassination reflects the confused conduct of affairs caused by the Shah S absence , and was not a deliberate affront to the United States _ The GOI seemed con- C erned that extensive and graphic coverage of the assassination might stimulate similar thoughts or actions by Iranians . It is not improbable that the GOI was also concerned over a public emotional reaction that could have turned into a manifestation of opposition sentiment ) although this concern would seem to us exaggerated _ HARLAN CONFIDENTTAL put plot poli ================================================== Page 12 ================================================== ORIGIN / ACTION DEP ARTMENT OF STATE Aps RM/ R REP AF AIRG RAM poz 6 2 S/KnERY; 'BDb RI RM USE ONLY A RA EUR FE A-212 UNCLASSIFIED 34,X NEA CU INR NO. HANDLING INOI CA ToR To Department of State #0 FbO AID JJt < 203 'ftd amt A GR CGm FRB DATE;' 4 FROM Amenbassy FORT LAMY June INT LAB TAR SUBJECT Reaction to Robert F Kennedy' s Assassination TR XmB AIR Uz 6 "74j25_34 REF State 176747 A F "h & LL S/n | ~vp ARMY CIA NA vY Chadian reaction to the assassination was one primarily of dismay OSD USI A NSA There was a feeling that Senator Kennedy Ias in a sense "their" Iu man had looked to him to continue the programs of his brother which believed would contain bold initiatives in foreign affairs not only in the field of reducing cold war tension but also with respect to the underdeveloped "third worla" The Chadian press , which consists of a government radio and a government newspaper detaled and sympathetic coverage to the assassination_ President Tombalbaye sent a personal telegraphic message of condolence to President Johnson and the Kennedy family. Foreign Minister Baroum also sent a telegraphic message of condolence to Secretary Rusk. On June 9 a commerative service was held for the American community at the Ambassador 6 residence _ The Catholic Archbi of Fort on June 10 said a requiem mass in memory of Senator Kennedy _ The mass was attended by many in the American community, some Chadians and French, and the full diplomatic corps including the Soviet Union and the Sudan, although the United States does not have diplomatic relations with the latter. VANCE x4p UNCLASSIFIED FOR DEPT. USE ONLY FORM DS-323 In Out 4 - 62 Dratted by: Contents and Classification Approved by: ADCH:WFrechette: jg Clearances: 1968 22, They they gave shop Lamy ================================================== Page 13 ================================================== 6 ================================================== Page 14 ================================================== OBtW/ ACTION DEP AR TMENT OF STATE Po L 6 4s | KewwedY, Rm/ R REP 'Af. A F AIRG RAM R6bErt F FOR Rm USE ONLY A RA EUR FE 4-697 LIMITED OFFICIAL USE NEA CU INR No. HANDLING INDI CA TOR 10 To Department of State ~cfived 7 2 INFO: ASMARA FbO AID Jw" 37 10 AGR com FRB FROM Amembassy ADDIS ABABA DATE: June 22 _ 1968 INT LAB TAR SUBJECT Soviet Daily News on RFK Murder TR XmB AIR REF Addis Ababa' s A-685 ARMY CIA NAVY 3 OSD USI A NSA The June 13 issue of the Soviet Daily Newg contained another article 2 Y on the RFK murder , but this time in Amharic . The piece reported remarks allegedly made by Arthur Schlesinger > Prof. David Abraham, and Prof_ 6 John Spiegel a Psychologist , to the effect that the U, S. is a sick and profoundly violent nation. translation of the article follows: "'National Shaqe: Many Americans have said that the killing of Senator Robert Kennedy is a national shame "The aide of the late President John F Kennedy the well-known histo- rian Arthur Schlesinger , in a statement said: America is a violent country; violence is in the flesh and blood of the country he said , reporting his grief. "Schlesinger stated that America by pursuing the Vietnam war by killing via murderers President John Kennedy , Martin Luther King and Senator Robert Kennedy has made herself into a country feared by the people of the world_ ther Prof. David Abraham reported that there is no other civilized country in the world as violent as America _ The killing of John F_ Kennedy opened a new chapter in violence , he said _ "Prof. John Spiegel professor of psychology , said that American youth are raised in an attitude of violence and domina tion and criticized that in America bullets were seen as a solution to disagreemen ts." HALL LIMITED OFFICIAL USE FQBDEPT_USE ONLY FORM DS -323 In Out 62 Drafted By: Contents and Mssication Approved bby: POL RGross;lii 6120 68 ADCM:WAStoltzfus Clearances: C _kc: jJ < "Fur ================================================== Page 15 ================================================== 7Lg Us/ Aredy"Lt Op Department of State TELEGRAM SECRET 577 PAGE 0 | LONDON 10192 2148132 52 ACtioN SS 70 INFO 7070 W R 2117552 JUN 68 FM AMEMBASSY LONDON To SECSTATE WASHDC 4369 INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY BE IRUT S E C R E T LONDON 10192 Q LIMDLS SUBJ : KENNEDY ASSASS I NA TION { ` REF : LONDOn 10004 AND PREV IOUS . JON KIMCHE TELEPHONED POL COUNSELOR JUNE 2 ! OFFERING ADDI 9 TIONAL INFORMA TION ON ALLEGED TRAVELS SI RHAN . LATER LEFT LETTER A T EMBASSY PERTINENT PARAS OF WHICH QUOTED BELOW , KIMCHE'S LETTER STATED THAT HE HAS NOT PUBL I SHED THESE DETA ILS 0F TRAVELS RECAUSE HE FEARED PUBLICATION MIGhT JEOPARDIZE SOURCE . ALSO SA ID THA T IF GOvts CONCERNED DENY KNOWLEDGE OF THESE "FACTS" , THEY ARE NOT TELLING TRUTh, QTE' IN 1964, BEFORE GOI NG To DAMASCUS IN JUNE , HE STA YED WITh A CHRISTIAN ARAB FAMILY In AL HAMRA , IN BEIRUT 0 THE NAME G I VEN IS (TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ARABIC 1 ALQUAS AL MOUI SHI ? AFTER HE RETURNED FROM DAMAScUS IN SEPTEMBER HE SPENT Two WEEKS IN BEIRUT WIth F AHIM EL A MUN I ' IN DAMASCUS , BETWEEN JUNE AND SEPTEMBER 1964 , HE LIVED In GHOURA WITh A FAMILY CALLED HALIM EL AALIBI > BEFORE HE WENT To THE QA TANEH CAMP OUtSI DE DAMASCUS 0 WITh HIM A T THE CAMP WERE TEN OTHER PALESTINIANS, FIVE IRAQIS, THREE LEBANESE AND Two OTHERS . THE Two OFFICERS IN CHARE 0F THE CAMP WERE LR. COL AZ1z AL MAROUF (NATIONALITY NOT STATED ) AND MAJOR AHMED BELKASSEM OR BELKACIM (AN ALGERIAN ) 0 IN CA IRO, In APRIL 1966 HE STA YED FQR A WEEK A T A SEEDY HOTEL CALLED EL GEZIRA, THEN HE MOVED IN WITh A LEBANESE CHRISTIAN FAMILY KNOWN AS THE KARAM FAMILY. FROM THERE HE WENT To MA ' AD CENTRE SECRET "Q#PARTMEN? 1 6 1 STATES OP ================================================== Page 16 ================================================== Op Department of State TELEGRAM TES 0P 94 SECRET PAGE 02 LONDON 10192 2118132 BEFORE GOING on To GA ZA WHERE HE IS STA TED To HA VE SPENT Two MONTHS UNQTE . BRUCE SECRET Q PARTMEN? 1 1 1 STA ================================================== Page 17 ================================================== L 1 M D I S I N € 0 M I N G Ink TOP SECRET Screener POST ZonDon (Time Received SER IAL W0LQ2 {968 JUN 21 PM 3 13 488 DISTRIBUTION MONTHLY COUNT Secretariat Geographic Other s/s-S AF5 ACDA5 s/s-0 ARAg s/s-Screener3 EA1l AID /EXSEC S/s-EX EURO AA/AFF2 S / S-CMS NEATE AA/VN2 s/s-0 DIR: AA/EA2 MilRep_ Functional AA/NESA2 Summary Task Force CU PC Principals H IGA VP ES2 INR S I04 L 3 OPR EXIM OC FRB SIC SY LAB s /AT WLG NASA s/AL P2 NIC s/4 SCA STR S/CPR SCS TRANS s/Gov SCI TRSY s/IL JUS s /p OTHER AGENCIES IRS S /R INT S [FW WHlg BOB S /PM CIA_ FBI Mlwp DOD CEA US IA4 FAA G/PM NSA G/DP File Burned E2 AEC3_ AGR3 COM2 ================================================== Page 18 ================================================== QEI_AISTRIBUIIQN REIA N/AC Tion DEP ARTMENT OF STATE A#RG RAM 80 L 6 U5 / Kera Ao oett F, RSR REP A F ARA Originol to be Filed in Decentrolized Filcs. FILE DESIGNATION EJR F2 NEA CU UNCLASSIFIED 4-273 INR E 10 HANDLING INDIcA TOR No. Feo 40 To Department of State ZCAm 13 IFO GABERONES , MBABANE, PRETORIA AGR com FRB INT FROM Amembassy MASERU DATE: June 21, 1968 LA 8 TAR TR XmB SUBJECT Zesotho Expresses Condolence on the Death of AiR ARMY NA Vy OSd Senator Robert Fe Kennedy REF Maseru 563 and 582 USIA NSA CIA 4 21 Once an Aerican tragedy has caused the Basotho people to suspend , if momentarily, their tical differences &nd join SUGCESTED distribution together to express their sympatky and condolence to the peop_a and Government of the United States and, particularly 9 to the famil/ of the late Senator Robert F Kennedy. In addition to the messages sont by the Prime Minister (Maseru 563) , countless Basotho and other regidents of Lesotho took the time to express their profound shock at the tragedy through telephone calls in person at the Embassy and United States Information Service where books of condolence were opened) and calls at the residences of American POsI RQULING officers, Peace Corps Director David R SHEFWOOD issued the follow_ To: Aciion Info. Inifials ing statement to the press on first learning of the attempt on the AMB Senator' s life: Po DcM I President Kennedy was the father of the Peace Corps. POL His brother helped nurture that childo When Senator ECCN Kennedy was hurt this morning we felt the pain; and our MR CONS work for equality and justice became more important. ACM 4 memorial service was held at the Anglican Church on the of the Aid Senatoris burial, Two days later_ a Solemn Concelebrated Requlem UsiS Mass was held at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Victories in Mageru, attended by the Prine Minister and virtually all other dignitaries of the realm, Encloged for transmission to the Kennedy family are several written File mesgages of sympathy and the pages from the Ebassy and USIS condolence Action Tokon: books containing the signatures of among others the Prime Minister , other Government Minls leaders of the oppositi and the Roman Catholic Archbishop, Date: POST Eor_Dgeortment_Use Onlx FORM Initiols; 10-64DS .323 WCLASSIFTED In Out Drarfed by: Drafting Dafe: phone Nlo. Contents an la siffcation Approved By: CHG:RSt.F Post:pea Clearances: 0 U. 5, GOv' 'MENT PRINTING FtCf Iorr 202-910 {9691 7 :d '2 'Inc again only poli calls, day King, ters, 01y Or ================================================== Page 19 ================================================== ORIGIN/ACTION DEP ARTMENT OF STATE RM/ R REP A F AIRG RAMZ Us ]tety FOR RM USE ONLY A RA EUR FE A-52 UNCLASSIFIED NEA CU INR No HANDCING INDICA TOR To Department of State 0cE 10 FBO AID INFO: PRETORIA, JOHANNESBURG_ DURBAN, ConGen CAPE TOWN Jj;i Zi 23 Lo AG6R com FRB FROM AmEmbassy CAPE TOWN DATE: June 1968 INT LA B TAR SUBJECT Further Reactions to Kennedy Assassination TR XMB AIR REF Town telegrams 1 464, 1448, 1437 ARMY CiA NA VY [o The Embassy transmitted to the Department (AFS), on June 13, a com- OSd UsI A NSA 34 6 plete set of clippings from the Cape daily press showing local newspaper 1Q coverage of the assassination of Senator Kennedy. From Satur- June 8, press coverage of the matter continued to be extensive but shifted its emphasis to concern over violence in the US and speculation over the Presidential campaign. The Embassy and Consulate General opened & condolence book from the afternoon of June 7 through June 12, which wa8 signed by some four hundred persons representing a broad cross-section of the community. A list of the notable Signers is attached. Also among those Signing the book were the Counsellor and Information Attache of the Rhodesian diplomatic mission and the locally-resident consular representative of 2 Rhodesia. We have also transmitted (to AFS) one copy of the June 12 issue of 7 Varsity, Univer of Cape Town student paper , which recalls the 4 Senator S visit to UCT in 1966, at the invitation0 f the National Union of South African Students, to deliver the of Affirmation speech which Senator Edward Kennedy quoted at length in his at the funeral mass at St. Patrick' s Cathedral: We to conclude our reporting of the assassination by forwarding, Attachment: As stated FOR DEPT USE QNLY FORM UNCLASSIFIED 4 62 DS-323 In Out Drafted by: ontents and CTassification Kpproved By; CONSASchelp POL:HKCampbell:ca 6/18[68 The Ambas sador Clearances: POL:PO' Sheel P1 AFz5 21, Cape day, sity Day eulogy plan ================================================== Page 20 ================================================== UNCLASSIFIED Emb Cape Town S A-52 2 at an early date, the condolence books of all posts in South Africa, together with some of the letters and telegrams received and indications of acknowl- edgements thereof. All communications received have been acknowledged. ROUNTREE UNCLASSIFIED ================================================== Page 21 ================================================== UNCLASSIFIED Attachment to Emb Town' s A-52, Page 1 of 1 Page Mr. A. La Pretorius, Secretary to the State President Mr. A: J. B. de Klerk, Cape Provincial Administration (on behalf of the Administrator of Cape Province, Dr . J.N. Malan) Mr. G. E. Ferry, Mayor of Cape Town Mr . J-S.F. Botha, Under Secretary, Dept. of Foreign Affairs Mr. Colin Eglin, National Chairman of the Progressive Party Mr. M_ D. Arendse, National President, Labor Party Mr. Thomas Swartz, Chairman, Council of Coloured Affairs Mr. F. G. Barrie, Department of Information, Pretoria L. Pegg, Department of Commerce, Cape Town Mr. Richard van der Ross, Department of Coloured Affairs Mrs. Helen Suzman, Member of Parliament (House of Assembly) Progressive Party Mr. John Daniel, President, National Union of South African Students Miss Eleanor Chaplin, National President, South African Association of Univer Women Miss M. Rodgers, Secretary, Civil Rights League Mr. Frank Bradlow, author and prominent member of Progressive Party Mr. J. R. Altman, TUCSA Mr. Waler Gradner, last previous Mayor of Cape Town UNCLASSIFIED Cape sity ================================================== Page 22 ================================================== qutb AcTION DEP ARTMENT OF STATE Pol 13 -22 Tuf NEA -/0 AIRG RAM Xe Pot 6 u/xenNe) Y, Rm R REP A F Rexert F_ 2EEATLsboLx FOR RM USE ONLY 4 NJ A EUR 669 CUEFluSNTIriL N F A CU 'NR No HANDLinG iNDIcATOR To 'Jeparment of Stal# [7!= 10 Lfl iJAfo: A ~HiN: , CYF Lbj _ Io:fJUL, Iziilli- #il: 00 AID sc f 6/ 2 A GR com FR8 FROM DATE: 21 JUNE 1968 4132I Jassy ANkA:li INT L 4& T AA SUBJECT iIen fn! of Cunversation_ Juie i9 , 1 ; . wi!n Irine kinster blleszar WilL TR XMA A1R REF 5 A RMY CiA NA Vy 20 5 OSd Usi A NSA :ttacked i: %erorandul of crVirSaiiofi I) :eC Mirisla] 10 3 Nsk 'Jeelirel tJu nbssador' Hart , cue l4 196F. HAXZ 2' Fau JEC Eclosure: Henoran iLl ionversioil 2 "his documnt 13 UNCLi_lkLsi wlien #e[arated frox: classifi enclosure iii'JEMELl FOR DEPT USE ONL Y FORM 62 DS . 323 In Our Drafed by Conzentg and CTasaincation Tpproved By: 4 iinnl:i:bi: '/22/68 Clearaoces: Ye-" 3Y al ================================================== Page 23 ================================================== EEI:DISIRIBUTION Ac Tion DKPARTMENT OF STATF Fo 2 6 Gs 'KEnvzoy; AIRG RAM ~RsTR REP A F ARA [0 Original to be Filed in Decentrolized Files. FILE DESIGNATiON EUR FE NEA CU LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 4222 INR 10 HANDLING INDIC A TOR No 2) To Department of State FBO AID Yfere Ye Io 4 GR coM FR8 INT FROM Amembassy GEORGETOWN DATE June 21 , 1968 (.^ [1 1AR TR XM B SUBJECT Guyanese Reaction to the Assassination of AIk ^RMY NA VY O50 Senator Robert F Kennedy REF 34 Usi A NSA CiA TNSC 3 20 SUMMARY Guyanese saw in the Kennedy murder the loss of another SUGGESTED DISTRIBUTION supporter of the American Negro less than two months after the similar death of Dr _ Martin Luther King Initial anger was somewhat tempered by the nationality of the accused slayer 9 but there were still expressions that the assassination was another indication of a "sick Americaa" This trend of thought which includes suspicion of conspiracy against those favoring assistance to the Negroes and the poor was pushed hard in the PCSIRQUIING official statement of the communist-led opposition CYo: Action Info. nitials party (PPP) but indirectly countered by statements by WU }'0 Guyanese government leaders In short , each side tended O6m to think not of the U.S . but also of the mani festa- 1'(>1 tions for the situation in Guyana. cyon % * % x x ziNs ^ Dm 1, Following by less than two months the assassination AIu of Dr Martin Luther the murder of Senator J'915 Robert F Kennedy shocked and saddened this country . Official comentary and editorial opinion generally were not as critical of the U,S as in the death of Dr however. FIt Enclosure: &1L IN . m Acfon Token: Book of Condolence [otc ; For Departmen Use_Qnlx FORM LIMITED QFFICIAL USE Viois: 10-64 DS -323 Io Ouf (raffed Drafring Dare Phorc No. ontenfs and CTassilicatior Approved hy USIS VJHolknec_ 6/20/68 CHARGE PMattenburg Icoranccs: 10 only King, King, by: ================================================== Page 24 ================================================== Georgetown A-222 LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 2 2 Official coment on the slaying tended to link the slayings of Dr King_ and Senator Kennedy._ Said Prime Minister Burnham: I It was Martin Luther now it is Robert Kennedy to die at the hands of an assassin. " But the Prime Minister als0 sounded an abvious warning to Guyanese that political murder is "an irrational short-cut to anarchy and chaos which no thinking person can tolerate. " Simil_ Attorney General and Minister Of State S . S _ Ramphal said: victim was Robert Kennedy ; but the assassins were those people everywhere who peddle hate whether as persons or groups within nations or as between nations themselves when promote dogma and intolerance The hand that struck down Senator Kennedy was in this sense the s ame hand that struck down Gandhi and Martin Luther The world is too short of ted and dedicated men of this kind for MI uS to destroy them when they have S0 much to give _ 3 , His statement was motivated in part by a desire to counter a Particularly vicious statement by the PPP The PPP General Janet Jagan ) who has a valid claim to American Seffeeaskipj linked the assassination f Senator Kennedy with that of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X as exposing It the sickness and decadence of present-day American society. In a country where violence is the official policy towards its own people and peoples of the third world one can hardly be surprised that this violence has infected the whole society. It is clear that the extreme right-wing fanatical fascist elements have declared war on radicals progressives and even liberals America once again appeared before the world exposed as a vicious brutal monster The PPP extends Ti sympathy to the wife and children of Senator Robert Kennedy . 4 Part of this theme was mildly echoed to a degree by the Young Socialist Movement youth arm of Prime Minister Burnham S People S National (PNC ) The YSM saw the slaying as directed against` leaders who champion the cause of oppressed minorities e:g_ Negroes _ "The conclusion s FCeGe"Rueficaatocieience is a way of life, an integral part of society, T the YSM statement said LIMITED OFFICIAL USE King, ari%ne they King- gif yet Congress ================================================== Page 25 ================================================== Georgetown A-222 LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 3 5 Editorial opinion was considerably more restrained. A first Guyana Graphic editorial eulogized the role Senator Kennedy could have Played in American life but made no coment on American society. A week after the slaying , Lucian the Graphic S editorial page columnist wrote what was actually a strong pro-U,S. column cannot reconcile American society, with its violent upsurge of primitive vitality, with a sick society, Ti Lucian noted _ He praised the U.S Government for "leaving open the avenues for protest in of the turmoil of the society_ Mi Stiil he chided Congress for not TP 'removing the causes which lie in the economy and the social structure IJ 6 _ This was much the same message of the Evening Post which was critical of Congress for not taking faster action to curb the sale of guns or increase taxes to prevent inflation- "These men who form the United States Congress by their doubtful and selfish motives are imperiling the lives of many Tt the Evening Post said_ The Mirror, unofficial organ of the PPP in an editorial titled Twhere is Safety?" said the U.S is a society "which cannot tolerate reformers who appear likely to achieve even a modicum of reform If In a subsequent editorial ) it called again for the removal from Guyana of Peace Corps volunteers who are "products of a gangster society. If 7 The New Nation= 9 the PNC weekly party newspaper saw a "breakdown of social stability in the U.S.A= -~not in the context of race relations--but in the fabric of the society where Political murders seem to be the easy substitute for the wiil of the _people Ii Seconding Prime Minister Burnham' s statement , the New Nation als0 expressed the hope that "Guyanese do learn that such acts of barbarism lead to the breakdown of social and institutional frameworks" within any society. 8 The Government of Guyana ordered its flown at half-staff on Sunday _ 9 June 9 but there was no official ceremony marking the assassination This was in contrast to a government-sponsored memorial rally in honor of Dr LIMITED OFFICIAL USE BI spite Elag King - ================================================== Page 26 ================================================== Georgetown A-222 LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 9 Enclosed for appropriate Department action is the Book of Condolence which was opened at the USIS John F Kennedy Library. It was signed by more than 1,500 persons 9 including the Governor-General and several Cabinet Ministers. CARLSON LIMITED OFFICIAL USE ================================================== Page 27 ================================================== UA Action DEP ARTMENT OF STATE 17 ISR - FK Poc FR L Ami A REP 4IRGRaM 4 Fk FOR RM USE ONLY AA4 ZUR FE 4-2311 PoL % US [rennesy , LIMITED OFFICIAL USE RubeKLE: NEA CU 1NR No HANDLING INDIC ATOR To Department of State WASHINGTON 10 FBo AID INFO Ame rican Enbaesies: AMMAN, BEIRUT TEL AVIV AGR com FRB FROM American Embassy-PARIS DATE: 6/21/68 TNT LAB TA R SUBJECT Israeli Ambassador' s Letter to Le Monde TR XMB AiR REF ARMY CiA NAVY OSd Usi 4 NSA 3 Israeli Ambassador Walter EYTAN wrote a letter which appeared 3% /0 in the June 11 issue of Le Monde. It is translated here in its entirety A1S because it the full measure of Israeli indignation and exasperation not at Le Monde' s handling of Robert KENNEDY' s assass ination but the entire attitude Le Monde_ 9 and beyond officials in the French Government have demonstrated toward the situation in the Middle East. 5 Several phrases the flavor: "No compasSion whatsoever for a family cruelly afflicted. "Instead indulgent comprehension for the assassin and his suppos ed motives. 1 "Admit that this is s ome to cause profound indignation even to those of your readers who believe themselves long since irmune to the by far too partial positions you take in the Israeli- Arab conflictu 1 The full translation is attached. SHRIVER Znclogure #l as stated above LIMITED OFFTCIAL USE FORI DEPT USE QNLX Form DS- 323' In Out 02 Druned by: PUE: RaCTc;Toue Tpproved by: POL:SHMcClfrvdic riTi 6/20/68 RFunkhous er 'xuaccs: XS' 0 4 ( A { XR gives only it, give 7 thing ================================================== Page 28 ================================================== 20 JUNE 21 1968 Dear Misa Balaret The Departnant af State hao recelved your letter of Juno & requeoting e Zlet Qf the Heado of Steta *ho attended tho Iuneral of President Jotn F, Kennedy, I am enclobing 2 Het entltled "Foralgn Dalegations Ro Fho Attended Frculdent Kennody' % Funerel On Mondry, Novanbar 25, 1963" 9 prtpared by the' @ftice of the Chtat Qf Protocol. 6a Sincoraly youre , 8 "ddn 8a Costrell Chter , Hotoricel Studied Divieion Hatorical Off-ce 0 Encloburet Aa atated 0 Yiloa Ethel Ealose, 8461 4at Roads Allaa Ferk, Michsean 48101 , 9 P/HO :RJCash :laa 6/20/68 Rqe_ MIGQFILED 5 Cf ================================================== Page 29 ================================================== Historical Office Office of the Director Q0 JUN 5 1968 June lul968 8461 Allen Road Department of State Allen Park, Michigan 48101 United States State Depertment Weshington, Da C, 2o000 Gentlemen: I'm a collector of m emorial items such as stamps, medals , dedication programs ~ on our iate beloved president, John F, Rennedy _ 61 It would be greatly appreciated if I maybe able to obtain a cachet or copy S of the list of Heads of state that attended our great pregident funeral. X At the present I 8m anticipating to donate my collection to a museum here in Michigan . Any help you maybe able to furnish me L will be greatly appreciated. With kindest regards _ 9 I am, Cordially_ yours , 1 (reee Ethel Balaze 8 Historical Office V Historical Studies Division JUN 1968 Department of State Bekoz} 8 0 E ================================================== Page 30 ================================================== 4ction DEP ARTMENT OF ST ATE PoL 6 0 5| KENNEDY, 1 -A-0 R REP AF AIRG RAM FoBERT F. 6 2a1 1l2 Be Wuijes $ FOR RM USE ONLY ARA EUR FE 4-657 1 NEA cu INR No. 8 ANDLING INoica ToR d 5 To Department of State E P 10 80 DEPAAKTNE CETE INFO : Amconsul SANTIAGO ~DB EOSWCABAL ZROS ZUE:L JF FBO A[D INTER-Ar RICAN AFFAIRS 9 DECLASSIFIED 0 €o JU2 4 1968 , kiem Yp Authonty: 1 NW 88872 AGR com FRB FROM Amembassy SANTO DATE: June 20, 1968 INT LAB TAR SUBJECT PRD Flyer Reflects Increasingly Radical Party Propaganda Line Following Sen. Kennedy Death TR XMB AIR REF SD-2778 55 PoL 6 usixennedy, 2 bze7 f ARMY Cia NAvY 3 20 5 0#0 UsiA NSA 1. On June 8th the enclosed printed flyer was distributed in Jo 3 Santo Domingo 3 apparently by the PRD . A translation is attached 34 as Enclosure 1 Nsc 2 . Comment : A Neither the Political Section nor CAS have any evidence to indicate that the flyer is other than PRD in origin, although it may well be the work of the JRD rather than of the National Exec - utive Committee itself. It is difficult to assign responsibility for the handout and to decide the question of whether it accurately reflects the official party line; although it did not appear on the streets until after Secretary General PENA Gonez and Press and Propaganda Secretary "Ma ESPINAL had left for the US and the Kennedy funeral, they may have been aware of the flyer 's contents prior to their departure Embassy officers plan to discuss the < matter with the PRD leaders after their return to the and will report any significant new information obtained. 2 1 B. The handout reflects aspects of recent speeches by Sec . Gen. PENA Gomez ,Organization Secretary "Rafa" GAMUNDI and Organi- 4 zation Office Director Napoleon NUNEZ, inc luding some following Senator Kennedy' $ assassination On the June 11 PRD radio program Gamundi linked the fighting "Northamerican revolutionaries" with their counterparts in the DR and elsewhere; and on the June 8 radio program Nufez mentioned a list of "martyred revolutionaries" (including "Che" Guevara ) similar to that contained in the flyer C. The PRD handout certainly_scakes new heights of radical Lrevolutionary rhetoric (for the PRD ) some of the martyrs in the 2665335 FOR DEPT USE ONLY FORM IROQP DS-323 In Out 4 - 'poangtadedat_12_year intervals_not_automatically_decraisifled Drafzcd By: FOL:FAlbanti:daf :6/12/68 ConirM FSDEVzTe 4 106 Fby: Clearances: FOL : JWilgon 22 Wazy Ac- TIC FSTFMA ZA Changelclas itv T5= DEPARTMENT ccncurfence Date: Qeclassa 12958, FPCIHDR Vsn No kssh-hl DOMTNGohdrawal = Ge81+ 4tax nny" DR , ================================================== Page 31 ================================================== DECEUE Santo Domingo A_657 Page 2 pantheon 2 including Patrice Lumumba 3 Albizu Campos 9 Manolo Taverez and "Che" Guevara 5 are hardly confidence-inspiring As noted in the referenced telegram, it is too early to know whether this more extremist propaganda line is simply the product of frustration and distress over the Kennedy_ death, or whether reflect a more fundamental shift (or advance)in party policy. 4.A.c. 83 J&D. CRIMMINS they ================================================== Page 32 ================================================== Santo Domingo A-657 UNCBASSIETED Enclosure #1 Tt DOMINICAN REVOLUTIONARY PARTY PRD "The oppressed peoples of the world are waging a great struggle against their ferocious enemies , THE YANKEE PENTAGONISTS The price of this struggle is being payed in the blood of the best sons of martyred humanity: Patrice Lumumba 9 Pedro Albizu Campos 3 Manolo Tavarez 3 Rafael Fernandez Dominguez 3 Juan Maria Lora Fernandez , Basilio Perdomo, Father Camilo Torres Restrepo 9 "Che" Ernesto Guevara , John F Kennedy 9 Martin Luther King, Robert Kennedy and many other fighters who have opened their veins and from whose wounds the blood of the enslaved peoples gushes forth, calling the masses to revolutionary action in order to break once and for all the age old chains that degrade and sully the libertarian aspir - ations of humanity. "The Dominican revolutionaries have not been surprised by the downfall of whosoever 9 like Robert Kennedy , would repudiate Yankee intervention in the weak nations of the world_ The sons of Quis t queya know the savage aggression of which lovers of liberty on this continent are victims _ Therefore we realize that it is an unavoid- able necessity that we prepare ourselves to sever the criminal hands of the murderers who snuff out the life of entire peopleswho struggle for their natural rights "The Northamerican people Will fight against its oppressors and will win, just as the heroic people of Viet-Nam, the martyred Dominican nation and degraded and oppressed Latin America will win. #Comrades : If close to us the road leading to National Liberation, Justice and Independence , let us then open the path by means of the revolution, installing in power the thought of DICTATORSHTP WITH FOPULAR SUPFORT NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE" UNCLASSIFIED they ================================================== Page 33 ================================================== En clsure 7 A- 657 Feom SAnTo Domsn G0 June 1968 L 1 > V 8 I 1 H 8 HH 8 I 1 8 1! 8 # 2 V 1 Ra 1 1 1 6 W 4 8 K 1 W 2 # 8 1 F W i 1 1 1 3 8 7* 0 8 8 p F Mowe 1 HpX 1 8 4 V 7 I 6 # 8 ! 3 85 ; p hx 85 p 0| 8 3 7 4 V 2 HHL 6 8 8 7 2887 0 8 36 85 78 W 883 6 1 2 V 8 885 | I 2 ; M 8 7 8 1 3 # U 1 2 : 2 H 3 H 8 # Eri: Hl 8 V 8 1 4 1 86 Ii 3 M 6 ; 1 ; L 2 8 L 8 1 272 V 8 1 W 6 8 h 5 88 1 Pu 5 U 4 3 8 1} Hx L 1; 201 1 8 5 : 8 6 ================================================== Page 34 ================================================== Op Tol euskkznnly skesk Department of Stabe TELEGRAML TES CONF I DENTIAL 725 PAGE 0 | LUSAKA 02113 20[0512 2CTION 15 [ INF0 CIAE 00,DODE 00 , GPM 04,h @2, INR 07,L; 03,NSC 10,P 04,RsC 6 ] ,SP 9 SS 20,US [ A i2,NSA. 02 RSR 0 [ /083 W R 2008572 JUN 68 7 2 FM AMEMBAsSY LUSAKA To SECSTATE WASHDC 2894 INFo AMEMBASS DAR ES SALAAM 2 C 0 N: F [ D E N T [ A L: LUSAKA 2113_ DAR FORSYMB GOOD SUBJECT' ASSASSINAT ION: REACTIONS REF , STATE 185070 J )Aenk:f: 1 , IN ACCORDANCE DEPT PREFERENCE CHARGE WILL: NOT SEND PROPOSED NOTE. 2 0 ASSUME THAT IN G 1 VING BANDA COPy 0F AMB GOOD '5 LETTER' DEPT EXPRESSED Its: REGRET THA T FOREIGN MINISTER KAMANGA SAW FIt REPLY THRough MEDIUM 0f PRESS' FOR SEEMS LIKELY GRZ WILL' CONTINUE Its FAILURE OBSERVE DIPLOMATIC NCETIES: UNLESS MADE AWARE 0F OTHER GOVERNMENTS 1 DISPLEASURE A T SUch BEHAVIOR, (LETTER STILL' UNACKNOWLEDGED THROuGh ANY OTHER CHANNEL' ) WAS CHARGE S OPINION THAT- BY - FOLLOWING COURSE LIKE THAT SUGGESTED LUSAKA _ 2085 WE COULD' HAVE EXPRESSED SUch D[ SPLEASURE WIThout- AFFECTING= AMBASSADOR'S PERSONAL' RELATONSHIP W ITh INDTVIDUALS: INVOLVED SiNCE ISSUE WOULd, HAVE BEEN CLOSED BY TIME AMB RETURNED 0 3 , DOubt USEFUL' OPPORTUNITy WILL' ARISE PERMIT THESE POINTS BE MADE WIth KAMANGA IN APPROPRIATELY Low KEY . OPPORTUN ITy MA Y' ARISE AND' WILL BE TAKEN IF STILL APPROPRIATE WITh MUL IKITA OR CHONA BUT' Low KEY POINTS MADE AT THAT LEVEL LESS LIKELY MAKE IMPRESSION WHERE Most NEEDED, GP - 3 EDMONDSON CONFI DENTIAL SPARTMEN? 1 7 1 STA OP AF P2/v ================================================== Page 35 ================================================== ORIGIN/ACTION Ulka - 0 DEP ARTMENT OF STATE RM/ H . 2 R REP A F AJRG R 4M Itd} |l USE ONLY A RA EUR FE A- 778 CONFIDENTIAL NEA CU INR NO. AANDLING INDICA TOR To Department d Tfattev {Q DEFATMER: _ ;TE 10 DU:EAU JF FbO AID Jjn Zi 12 13 PH:: INTER-AVERICAN AFfals: JU2 4 1968 SISs Esae (u6-K) AGR cOM FRB FROM Amembassy MONTEVIDEO DATE: une 19 , 1968 INT LA B TAR SUBJECT Uruguayan Reaction to the Death of Senator Kennedy TR XMB AIR REF Montevideo 291 8, 2907 and A-759 Oe 6 us]bah ARmy CiA NAyY Uu 3 24 BEGIN UNCLASSIFIED OSD SIA NSA 34 1 6 SUMMARY hs The death of Senator Robert Kennedy caused profound shock and sorrow in Uruguay. The felt by Uruguayans over the Senator' s death was reflected by the large number of people who visited the Embassy, sent letters or telegrams, or made other gestures expressing their sorrow_ Uruguay's President and Foreign Minister sent condolence messages to President Johnson and Secretary Rusk respectively, and the Senate held a special session in Senator Kennedy' s memory_ The Senator' s death was widely mourned in the press, with the majority of papers concentrating their comments on the tragedy and the Senator himself rather than criticizing American society. 8 The people of Uruguay were shocked and grieved by the sudden violent death of Senator Robert Kennedy. As soon as news reached Uruguay on June 5 that the Senator had been shot, Uruguayans began to visit, telephone, wire, and write to the Embassy to express their sorrow_ By June 14, approximately 1,600 people had visited the Embassy or the Embassy Residence and signed the condolence books which had been set up at both places. Approximately 150 letters and telegrams of condolence had been received by the Embassy a8 of June 14, and these were continuing to arrive at the rate of about ten per One particularly noteworthy CONFIDENTIAL FOR PEPT USE ONLY FORM 4 - 62 DF - 323 In Drafted by Contents and ( Approved y: POL:HRAppelbaumivb_ 6 /1 7 /68 POL: WiWzeiZin; jP Clearances: ADCM:NVMcCausland Wm N0 grief day- Out ================================================== Page 36 ================================================== CONFIDENTIAL Montevideo A- 778 Page 2 letter, Signed by over thirty fourth-year (age 15 and 16) students from a Montevideo secondary school, expressed the students' over Iu n( I the loss to a world hungry for peace of this "shining figure and their "profcund anxiety in the face of events like this, which raise doubts M1 over the destiny of mankind The students expressed their sympathies for the people of the United States and especially for the Kennedy family, which "has nurtured with its blood enterprises which deserve the considera- MI tion of all their fellow men_ Another noteworthy gesture was that of an Uruguayan lady who brought a attractive silk Uruguayan flag to the Embassy and asked that it be forwarded to the Kennedy family. In the interior town of Salto, the City Council resolved to name a street after Senator Kennedy. On June 8 in Montevideo, several hundred persons attended a Memorial Mass held in the Senator's honor at a local Catholic Church_ The President of Uruguay, Jorge PACHECO Areco, expressed his sorrow in a_ cable President Johnson on June 5 after Senator Kennedy had been shot, and again in another cable to President Johnson on June 6 after the Senator had died; Foreign Minister Venancio FLORES also sent cables to Secretary Rusk after the shooting and after the Senator' s death On the floor of the Uruguayan Senate, several Senators on June 5 expressed their deep concern over this act of senseless violence against an outstanding American leader, On June 6, after the Senator had died, the Senate held a special session to render homage to his memory_ The Uruguayan press gave heavy coverage from June 6 ~ 9 to the shooting and death of the Senator. One daily newspaper, El Dia_ published a special eight-page edition on June 6 devoted exclusively to Senator Kennedy's life and death_ Almost all newspapers carried editorials expressing and dismay at the untimely death of an outstanding American leader who had championed the cause 0f underprivileged peoples and nations. Some editorials went on to express concern over the increasing frequency of violent acts in the United States and other countries, and several editorials asked how it could be that such events are occuring in the most advanced nation in the world. For the most part, the editorials which raised this type of question did not seek to provide answers or to indict American society &8 a whole for the death Of the Senator One newspaper, the large-circulation Colorado List 15 daily Accion firmly reasserted its faith in the American people with the statement that Tthe people of the United States, who have created the greatness of their nation; deeply moral, vigorous, optimistic, and vital, undoubtedly must be "1 suffering disconsolately from this unexpected and stupid deed. CONFIDENTIAL grief deep to grief ================================================== Page 37 ================================================== CONFIDENTIAL Montevideo A- 778 Page 3 Two small-circulation newspapers, Extra (Colorado- Segovia) and El Debate (Blanco-Echegoyen) , made critical references to U. S. foreign policy in their editorials on Senator Kennedy. El Debate the organ of the Blanco Party' s most nationalistic and right-wing faction, said that it sincerely regretted Senator Kennedy's death even though his country has not always "adjusted its international conduct to the strict canons of impartial and respectful Cco- M existence among nations Extra lamented the loss of Senator Kennedy because "he did not hesitate to criticize a foreign policy recently conducted under the M1 banner of error and aggression The Extra editorial specifically mentioned II U.S. policy in Viet Nam and U.S. sponsor of economic and social formulas and prescriptions which have only provoked disturbances in the life ii of our people" as policies which it has hoped Senator Kennedy would be able to redirect. The far-left press used Senator Kennedy's death to launch sharp attacks against the United States. As of June 15 the Communist Party organ El Popular_was still carrying editorials or articles almost every day under such headlines as M M M "Society of Crime "Democracy of Gangsters" "Crime Pays' "Weapons Ti Rule in the U.S. and Will be Next The Society of Hate, Violence, 1 and Crime" These articles and editorials portray the United States as a crime-ridden society in which violence is endemic and in which anyone who challenges government policy or stands up for the underprivileged is likely to be murdered; One El Popular article was accompanied by a reproduction of a 1963 Herb Block cartoon lampooning the ease with which guns can be purchased in the United States. The Socialist weekly Izquierda carried an Mi article on the Senator'8 death entitled "IThe System of Politiical Crime which 1 called the United States a land of 'systematized political crime and violent 1i 11 inhuman destruction the "most immoral" nation in history, and the "sinister T oppressor of more than half of humanity' Equally as vitriolic was an editorial in the intellectual leftist weekly Marcha by Carlos QUIJANO, Marcha's director. Quijano characterized the asgassination of Senator Kennedy as a reflection f 11 M1 I Ii a society of 'gangsters "lynchers of Negroes' and "'Mafia thugs" Since Ii MI Americans are "taught to kill abroad", to carry out 'genocide in Viet Nam M Mi and 'slaughter in Santo Domingo" said Quijano, they quite natur= kill at home (Montevideo A-759) . Also appearing in the press were & number of paid advertisements by civic organizations expressing sorrow over the tragic and premature:end of Senator Kennedy' s career_ The Senator'& death also received widespread radio coverage, with audiences reaching &8 high &8 two million (over two-thirds of Uruguay' s population) on June 6 and 7 (Montevideo 2918) . CONFIDENTIAL 'ship "Who ally ================================================== Page 38 ================================================== CONFIDENTIAL Montevideo A- 778 Page 4 BEGIN CONFIDENTTAL Comment: Many Uruguayans find it hard to believe that the assassinations of Senator Kennedy and other American leaders in recent years could have been carried out by individual fanatics acting alone_ However, few have accepted the: radical left's characterization of the United States as a crime- ridden, gangster-dominated nation of violence &nd savagery. The editorial in Extra was probably motivated at least in part by the desire of Extra' s owner and director, Glauco SEGOVIA, to carve out a new political identity for himself as a spokesman for the left wing of the Colorado Party. Segovia, who was Mayor of Montevideo in 1987 and who was chairman of the recently dissolved "Colorado Unity Front" Ii alliance of several leading Colorado politicians, in the past has often shifted places on the political spectrum in accordance with what he has perceived to be his best political interests. The Marcha editorial reveals Quijano, who has long been considered a Marxist by the Embassy, to be virulently hostile to the United States. Marcha's editorial is more a cause for concern than the El Popular Izqui= Extra, or El Debate criticisms, because Marcha_is the only intellectual weekly in the country and it reaches and influences moderate students and intellectuals as well a8 extreme leftists . Group 3 TOPPING CONFIDENTIAL erda Qu ================================================== Page 39 ================================================== ORIgIn/ Action DEP AR TMENT OF STATE Euk4_ Yob 6 Us 1k,6, Ry R REP A F iAIRGRAM Asul Fj FOR RM USE ONL Y ARA EuR FE A-419 CONF IDENTIAL AIR POUCH NEA CU INR No; HANDLING INDIcATOR RECTIVED To Department 0f State 10 Fbo AID INFO OPORTO , PONTAlUDELGADA;u TOURENCO MARQUES LUANDA Sfs F7crr 1O AGR COM FRB FROM AmEmbassy LISBON DATE: June 19 , 1968 int LAB TAR Portuguese Attitudes and Their Effects on Local SUBJECT Reactions to the Assassination 0f Senator Kennedy TR Xmb AIR REF Lisbon 1539_ June 6 , ana 1542 _ June 7 _ 1968 ARMY CIA NAVY Euk Luk 20 OSD UsiA NSA Summary 3 Wsz The cables under reference reviewed some of the Portuguese reactions to the assassination of Senator Robert F Kennedy _ The following report is a survey 0f the political climate existing in Portugal (with appropriate references to recent Que reports) which made that reaction predictable if not almost inevitable in view of the extremely conservative bias of those in positions While nowhere was Senator Kennedy attacked personally or as a symbol of U.S _ political life_ his death unleashed a round ~ of anti-American criticism motivated both by ideological differences with the U.S _ and by the increasing nervousness 1 Of the Portuguese Government in its preoccupation with main- 1 taining and defend the existing political order_ 1 A separate airgram now under preparation will summarize the non-official reaction Local Attitudes and Mythology Semi-official Portuguese reactions to the assass ination Of Senator Robert F Kennedy and comment in the Government con- trolled press can best be understood in the light of local CONF IDENTIAL Group 4 FOR DEPT_USE QNLX FORM PS Io Out 4 62 Dralted by: Contento @adr Eetton ,Approved by: POL/DCAseldio/mrl 6/18/68 Chaye/ HEWeiner Clearaoces: USIS /SWBaldanza (in draft) POL/AEHenesen key ing ================================================== Page 40 ================================================== (: :tw} .) BU;<AU OF EUROP 1AFFAIRS COMMUNIC _ ~EnTeR 173 JUN 21 PM 3 30 DEFARTMENT OF STATE ================================================== Page 41 ================================================== Lisbon A-419 CONF IDENTIAL 2 attitudes ana official Portuguese mythology _ From the ideological point 0f view the GOP is staunchly anti-Communist, representing it does in its Constitution the last active current Of pre- World War II corporativism _ The power elite 0f Portugal consider that the National Revolution (1926) took place in reaction to the disorder in Portuguese society and government unleashed with the fall of the monarchy _ Through the exercise of a variety of means including the application of force they have kept the lid on ever since The coolness in relations between Portugal and most of her NATO allies is analyzed by the GOP as resulting from a lack 0f understanding on the part of most other Western nations Of the real issues in the East-West confrontation or wrse, self- serving action on the part of some of those allies seeking to despoil Portugal_ The fact that Portugal is attacked in inter- national forums and meetings ana is frequently condemned in UN resolutions contributes to the feeling 0f isolation _ As the war against the insurgents in the African territories drags on , a feeling 0f being beleaguered is added Distrust Of the U.S. by the GOP The result is that, although Portugal identifies with Western society ana recognizes the United States as the leader 0f the Free World , this identification contains many elements of a love_ hate relationship_ There is respect for U,S _ power _ but there is distrust of U.S_ motives with regard to Portugal and suspicion Of U.S . political philosophy which without naming names _ was recently equated by the Foreign Minister with Russian Communism as being evangelical and expans ionist: The domestic problems confront the U.S . are viewed locally with dismay heavily tinged by the self-righteous and self-serving assertion that Portugal is on the right path politically The Portuguese are prompt to pounce on purported weakness of the "American way 0f life Ji (usually depicted locally in pejorative terms ) in order to contrast it unfavorably with what they consider to be their own orderly_ stable society The Portuguese Government' s message comes through to their people something like this "You see what happens in wicked libertarian societies? Aren t you for- MI tunate that we don t have such problems ? The obvious stick with which to beat the U.S . is racism_ The Portuguese point by contrast to what they proudly call F with some justification within certain limits ~ their "pluri-continental CONFIDENTIAL as ing only ================================================== Page 42 ================================================== Lisbon A- 419 CONF IDENTIAL 3 multiracial society_ The press in general is not backward in taking this line However , the worst offender is the Government- controlled television system which seems to have more than its quota of rabid totalitarians (See A-291, March 13 1968) These are not above presenting ludicrously distorted and one-sided programs about race riots and civil strife in the U.S . That the message does not always hit home in the manner intended is some- times apparent . Recently _ after a particularly nasty piece 0f TV work, a Portuguese field grade officer approached an Embassy officer to explain how disturbed he haa been by the TV series on the U.S . civil rights movements _ In al1 sincerity, he offered the gratuitous advice that the movement "must be crushed by force 11 and the Negroes "put in their place_ II The GOP Is Nervous More recently, the Francophile Portuguese have been severely shaken by the disturbances in France (See Lisbon 1497 , May 29) They feared the crumbling not of their preferred model 0f a highly advanced member of Western society, but the possibility 0f revolutionary contagion spreading to Portugal_ In characteristic fashion, and in quick succession the Minister of Interior de- livered a very tough speech (See para 4 Lisbon 1497) warning both students and labor against any Similar activity , the Minister of Economy used the thene 0f the French disturbances and the unreliability 0f foreign markets for a new exhortation toward greater self-sufficiency in the agricultural sector, and the Foreign Minister delivered his highly nationalistic and isola- tionist views on international affairs (See Lisbon 1532 _ June 5) The editorial commentators had a field viewing with alarm Western society tottering before the forces of international Communism _ The Portuguese conspiratorial view of history re- ceived full play and was evident even among the well-educated _ It would seem apparent that such a view would be particularly prevalent in an authoritarian state which battens on conspiracy , either real or imagined and which probably (and naturally) generates it_ The Assassination The assassination of Senator Kennedy was a shock to the Portuguese , as to everyone else; but certain elements in the power structure saw it as an additional opportunity to drive home their views _ CONF IDENTIAL only day ================================================== Page 43 ================================================== Lisbon A-419 CONF IDENTIAL The "Bejart incident" (See Lisbon 1550) appears to be a clear indication that the police intend to tolerate nothing which may even remotely be considered a threat of disorder In this in- stance, the GOP attempted to cover its tracks in self-justifica- tion by reprinting Belgian press articles which disapproved 0f Bejart S conduct and by spreading the line through the diplomatic corps that the police had reacted to Bejart S remarks ("Down with violence, down with Fascism? ") because allegedly were anti- U.S _ and anti-French _ If_ as is evident_ the Government was bracing itself for possible political strife by becoming even more repressive than usual, what better justification than the problems which exist in a more permissive society like the U.S .? From a purely ideological point of view the assassination per- mitted an orgy of anti-American propaganda emphasizing racism, the U.S _ tradition 0f violence_ the consequences of decadent democracy and the effects 0f a highly materialistic, technolo_ gically advanced society on the spirit of man _ The flow was not all one way and occas ionally more moderate pieces would appear News coverage as distinguished from edi- torial commentary _ was extensive and sympathetic_ Dutra FARIA the head of the official Government news agency followed up an early, highly incensed , editorial in the official party news - paper Diario da Manha with a more reasonable one entitled "Let' s Not Exaggerate_ However_ the ideological orchestration of the editorial comment was discernible from the repetitious themes and also from the hints received that some 0f the pieces had been written to order Despite Faria's pleas in the semi-official Diario d Manha, the television attack continued _ An attempt is be made to obtain the script of three special half-hour pro- grams on the assassination and the U.S_ which were shown at peak hours with an estimated viewing audience 0f four million people _ The Effects of theAnti-U_S Campaign The Embassy considers it highly unlikely that this anti-American campaign will have any permanent adverse effect on the basic will of the populace toward the United States _ In the aftermath 0f the assassination itself, the large numbers of expressions of sympathy received in person , by telephone and in writing as well as comments received by Embassy Officers from people in all walks of life, demonstrated a sympathetic reaction to the bereave _ ment of the Senator S family and the American nation , although CONF IDENTIAL they ANI , ing good ================================================== Page 44 ================================================== Lisbon A-419 CONF IDENTIAL 5 mixed with a certain bewilderment at this latest violence against a national figure_ The Embassy believes that the Senator S death made a profound impression on the Portuguese_ This is all the more notable since Senator Kennedy , because of his identification M1 as a "Liberal._ was not a favorite in local Government circles and did not usually receive a good press _ A special mass spon - sored by Embassy personnel and announced with short notice was well attended by the diplomatic corps ana by an impressive number of private citizens _ (Similarly, special prayers offered at churches of various denominations and the Lisbon Synagogue re- vealed a certain depth 0f popular sympathy . ) Government officials , however , did not attend the mass _ In addition, the Portuguese are somewhat cynical concerning the pronouncement of their Government and in fact, among intellec- tual and student groups , a strong, obviously Government-sponsored attack will probably generate sympathy Many calls were received by the Embassy from Portuguese who objected to the line taken by the Portuguese TV programs One danger lies in the fact that a distorted picture of the United States is being developed in the mind of those having no direct knowledge 0f the U,S_ The most graphic example of this is the quite common question posed, by otherwise sophisticated people, "Do you think it would be all right for me to go to New York (_ Washington Los Angeles) during my to the United States?" The more obvious point is that the Portuguese Government_ becoming increasingly nervous over possible future problems responded with an attack against the democratic concept Of government ana _ specifically, the U.S . view Qf that concept WEINER CONFIDENTIAL trip ================================================== Page 45 ================================================== Ps '7 ( Jop taN_Us/sikhkk,s1k2 43 ta 8 5 X? Po L 6 '3l-state] {{we DY ')psbee5 = F, > outgoing TELEGRAM Department 8 INDICATE 3coliici 3 lichaic 1o CONFIDENTIAL 8 Classfflcation Omqia ACTION; Amembassy AMMAN PRIORITY 9 Jun 68 O0 2 8 1 Idto, INFO: Amembassy BEIRUT PRIORITY Amembassy TEL AVIV Amconsul JERUSALEM Amembassy TRIPOLI FBI STATE SUBJECT: Sirhan Case 3 1 Four or five Jordanian lawyers have reportedly been requested by Jordanian Lawyers Association and Arab Lawyers Federation to come to the United States to defend Sirhan Bishara Sirhan. Press has reported that lawyers . already in touch with California Public Defenders office_ 2 Department has no knowledge of any visa applications by these lawyers _ Regarding their standing in the California courts, we have referred press queries to California authorities _ 3 _ FYI In order for Jordanian lawyers to represent Sirhan would have to be admitted to practice by Superior Court of California . Action on application. for admis8ion to practice Onsod br: Tel, Im _ Taloatpphlc Ioumlulon LINEA : RHNeuhhati ;eew / dmg 6/18 /68l elottillcttion mproved byi NEA /ARN Robert Ba Hougbya _ (luoc[01 NEA Mr Rockwel-(draft) AFN Mr Horan (Info) SCA Mr Smiths PINEA Mr Wheelock '(info) L Mr Salang CONFIDENTIAL Foam Classification 0.65 DS.322 37_ they Jad ================================================== Page 46 ================================================== POL 6 Us] KeNNEDY Be QT 21 OF Department of State TELEGRAM TES 0f 26 CONF IDENT IAL 773 PAGE 0 : AmMAN 054$0 191222z { 53 p Action L 03 {NF0 AF 89 p NEA 13':Y 032 SCA 02s VO 02,P 0 4 ,US [ A 12, GPM 04 2 NSC 9 @ 2 SP 02 SS 26,RSC 7 |SAH 02 2 H 022C IAE 0@ , INR 07 2NSAE 0@ p DODE @0 9 JUS 022 FB[ Wf | "RSR J ,/ [ W4 W P 19 : % 492 JUN 68 FM A MEMBASSY AMMA N To SECSTA TE WASHDC PR IOR ITY 5793 2 INFC AMEMBASSY BE IRUT PRI OR [ Ty AMEMBASSY TEL A V[V AMCONSUi JERUSALEM AMEMBASSY TR IPOL I FB [ C 0 N F [ 0 E N T I A L AMMAN 54$0 SUBJ SiRHAN CASE REF 8 STATE 18589 | 1 # WE APPRECIA TE SENS!TiVE POL ITiCAL IMPLICA T ONS INVOLVED IN PRGSPECT JORDAN}AN LAWYERS BECOMING INVOL VED iN SIRHAN CASE 2 2 + ALThOUGH THEY ARE PALESTINA [ AN 2 A T LEAST Two OF THE LAWYERS , FUAD ATALLAA A ND AHMAD AL-KHALIL" MENTIONED IN LOCAL PRESS ARE GENERAiiY WELL -BALANCED AND MODERATE IND I V IDUALS 0 THEY ARE ALSO ABLE LAWYERS . WE BELIEVE RESPONS IBLE GOJ OFF IC iALS WILL Not NEED HA VE PICTURE DRAWN FOR THEM WTh REGARD To PoSs Y BL Y UNFORTUNA TE POL]tICAL RAMIF ICAT IONS INVOLVED 3 ( ON BALANCE WE SEE NO ALTERNATIVE To LE TTfNG NATURE TAKE I7s CGURSE WE CA NNOT CONTROL DEC IS IONS OF CAL IFORN [ A SUPERIOR CJURTOR TRIAL JUOGE^ iN ANY CASE _ 0 EVEN IF PRESENT JORDAN IAN LAWYERS wERE DISSUADED It IS QUOtE POSSI BLE OTHER ELEMENTS IN JORDAN QR ELSWEHERE MA Y SEEK To INFLAME ISSUE B Y ENL ISTING THEMSELVES In S IRHAN / S DEFENSE o 4 IF GQJ OR JORDAN I AN CONF [ DENTIAL , Ro _ ARTMENT 1 8 7J 1 STA" I 3 To ================================================== Page 47 ================================================== Op Department of State TELEGRAM TES OF &8 CONF I DENTIAL PAGE 02 AMMAN 054 00 1912222 LAWYERS SHOULD, HOWEVER, APPROACH US , BELIEVE WE SHOULD RESTRICT OURSEL VES To BRIEF OUTL INE OF COURT PROCEDURES OVER WHICH USG HAS NO CONTROL' AND EXPLA IN THAT DECISION EMPLOYLA WYERS UP To DEFENSE COUNSEL SIRHAN AIMSELF & WE WOULD ALSO SE IZE OPPORUTNI Ty To A SSURE THEM THAT SI RHAN TRIAL WOULD BE CONDUCTED WIth SCRUPULOUS REGARD DEFENDANT 'S CONSTITUt - IONAL RIGHTS , AND THIS WILL BE READILY APPARENT To ALL QBSERVERS 0 ACCORDING OUR [NF ORMANT 2 LAWYERS INTEND To G0 To US AS OBSERVERS , BUT FINAL DECISION NOT YET TAKEN 0 SYMMES CONF IDENT IAL ARTMENT 1 8 J 1 STA AND ================================================== Page 48 ================================================== P5l 6 uS / Kuandq Rs5o1 & 1 8 5 0 7. 0 OUTGOING TELEGRAM Department of State 3 FOKcAGEto COLLECT Zac 9 CONFTDENTTAL ba 8 Classification 8 Origin ACTION: Amembassy LUSARA 0 Jun 88 I4 372 Infot INFO: Amembasgy DAR ES SALAAM STATE DAR ES SALAAM FOR AMBASSADOR GOOD SUBJECT : A8sas8ination Reac tiong REF: Lusaka 2085 1_ We also regret that Fonmin Kamanga saw fit to reply to Ambassador 8 letter through medium of press and agree that reactiong to Kennedy esse881nation by certain GRZ officiels bave been most unfortunate_ 2 . Dept notes however that Embassy bas made US position clear both publicly and privately. We have done likewise here with Ambassador Banda when we gave hin copy of Amb Goog Js letter_ both on June 8 and again today/ Ambasgador Banda once #gain 'expressed regret over statements made by 8ome GRZ officials, e.g. , Mainza Chona and Chanda , and ingisted should be taken a8 views of individuals 2 rather than a8 official CRZ position. Emphasized that neither President Kaunda nor Fonmin Kamanga , despite their shock over assagsination, had meant to Imply USG responsibility or involvement. Again mentioned his efforts to as8a8sination in proper perspective for hig Govt. (Copy his condolence message to Secretary belng pouched. ) 3_ In view above, Dept believeg no further purpose wouldAlikely be achieved by engaging in further exchange of corregpondence at this Draltad by: Tol, Ext_ Telegraphic transmission ad AIG; AFSE EWEotmev; reb 3977 AF THEQuimb classificalion approvod by: Clearancest AFlP 5 Mr. PerkrrS CONFIDENTTAL FORm Classification 8-65 DS-322 3 J they 3 deep Place ================================================== Page 49 ================================================== Page 2 ~of telegram to Amembassy LUSAKA CONFIDENTIAL Classification time on this emotion-laden sub ject and would prefer that proposed formal note not be sent. If opportunity arises, Charge might wish make some of points contained in proposed note to Fonmin Kamanga or Mark Chona orally but, all in al1, believe it best keep any guch approach in low GP-3 End 'RuSKi L CONFIDENTIAL Form 8-63 DS-322A Classification continuaTion ShEET key. ================================================== Page 50 ================================================== DEPI_DLSIRIBUTION O tamM& TION DEPARTMENT OF STATE AIRGRAM 86L 6 y5/ KEWNeDY AFaa 8onert F, RSIR REP A F ARA Original to be Filed in_ Decentralized Files. FILE DESIGNATION EUR FE NEA CU UNCLASSIFIED 4-371 INR 10 HANDLING INDICA ToR NO FBO AID To DDepartment of State JJi: LV 1I2 z5 PX _ 9cpR AG R com FRB INT FROM Amembassy ABIDJAN DATE: June 18, 1968 LA B TAR TR XmB SUBJECT Ivory Coast Reaction to Kennedy Assassination AIR ARMY NA VY Osd REF 2x USI A NSA CIA 10 The reaction of Ivorians, French and others in Ivory Coast to the Nsc death of Senator Robert Kennedy has been one of shock, disbelief, 6 SUGGESTED DISTRIBUTION and sympathy, not s0 much sympathy for America's loss, but for the personal loss of Senator Kennedy's family. The sharply emotional Ivorian reaction was that to some degree_ it was America that killed Kennedy That belief sums up the_very negative and unfavorable _image of America_that the_ 28828 sination has_projected for local eyes: Senator Kennedy inherited much of his brother's charismatic appeal Post ROUTING to Africans who have re garded him a8 the natural champion of To: Action Info. Ilnitiols AmB/ President Kennedy's compassion and understanding for third world Po problems . Dcm POL From the moment the news spread of the attempt on Senator ECON Kennedy's life, various officials called the Embassy to express CONS sympathy. The Senator's death provoked further reactions, such ADM as telephone calls and letters of sympathy from all quarters, in- AID cluding the French. The memorial service held June 7 at the JSIS Ambassador Re sidence was well attended; the Ivorians were re- presented by two of the three Vice Presidents of the National Assembly, several Deputie 8, a Vice President of the Economic and Social Council, and the Secretary General of the Foreign FicE Ministry. Later the same evening, National Assembly President Action Taken: Yace, Economic and Social Council President Mamadou Coulibaly, Dote UNC LASSIFIED Eor_Degartment_Use_Onlx FoRM Initiols: 10-64DS *323 In Out Drafted By Drafting Date IPhone No. Contents and Pproved by: POL:RMFou jaw 6/14/68_utsuliul DCM:Le 'GDotb Clearances: USIS:WPetty #vare) Ta TT U. 5.. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1966 0 202-219 (258) RSRsk "cx 's ================================================== Page 51 ================================================== UNCLASSIFIED Abidjan A- 371 Page 2 and Supreme Court President Alphonse Boni the country's second_ third and fourth personalitie s , called on Ambassador Morgan to present condolence s in behalf of the Ivory Coast's Democratic Party which lead. President Houphouet-Boigny sent a personal me s sage to Mrs. Kennedy in behalf of himself, Mrs . Houphouet-Boigny and the Ivorian people. A steady stream of people visited the Embassy from June 6 to June 10 to sign the register set out in the Embassy foyer. Foreign Minister Usher signed the register for the Ivorian government. Press reaction was sharp. The June 6th edition of Fraternite-Matin carried a page devoted to Kennedy's biography and his political pro- spects, and a bitter front page editorial condemned the act, predicting dire consequences for the United States if Kennedy died. Later the same a spe cial edition was is sued announ cing his death, the_first_time in_the history of the newspaper that this has been done. The June 7 is sue headlined the Arthur Schlesinger speech given at CCNY s0 many murders in the U.S.?0 The back page f the same is sue covered world and U. S. reactions, a statement by Ambassador Morgan, and other articles peripherally related to the assassination_ Later is sue8 included information on the accused slayer, the funeral, and the of mourning. Qn June_11 } Fraternite printed_ two_poems_condemning the slaying and criticizing America_ The weekly party newspaper Fraternite printed a large front page photograph of the Senator with editorial comment expressing the universality of guilt for the assasS - ination and the that the world would learn from Kez nnedy's death a8 it had from his life_ In sum, feelings in Ivory Coast have been strong. The over-riding sentiment centers on the fact that the possible election of a Kennedy brother has been crushed_ Moreover, Senator Kennedyhad a special appeal in Ivory Coast_stemming partly from the fact thathe was_ fondly remembered as having been-President Kennedyg personal represen- tative to the Ivory Coast's first independence celebration in 1961_ MORGAN UNCLASSIFIED they day, "Why day hope ================================================== Page 52 ================================================== 1 8 5 0 7. | Jing TELEGRAM Department_gf State 3 UICATE: COLLECT LIITED OFFICIAL_USE @ CHARGE To Et or Classification_ 61 b w 8 Orioin ACTION: 0 Jun 8B 4 375 Amembassy CANBERRA Intot FL 6 Us]rennedys KokertF] STATE 1 Please pass the following message to Lord Casey from the President: "Dear Lord Casey: I was deeply grateful for your telegram - The knowledge that your countrymen share our grief at the tragic 1oss of Senator Kennedy is a source of great comfort and 'consolation to me and to my fellow Americans Lyndon Ba Johnson" 2. White House does not plan to release message, but has no objection 3 to release by Governor General. 3. Following, FYI, is text of Governor General's message to the President: ENH QTE: We share with you the shock and horror of this dreadful happening. Casey Governor-General. UNQTE. END ROSK; Qr Drattod by: Tol. Ext_ Tolographic transmission &nd BA ANZ : CCBrowerlw 6/14/68 52092 classification approved by: EA /ANZ 8a- ton C _ Brower Clearancost BA Blackburn s/s # Mr _ <WBHer LIITED OFFICIAL USE XNSENeTKHNY Form Classification 8-65 DS-322 1 Iawld #y ================================================== Page 53 ================================================== Actiom DEP ARTMENT OF STATE NE A-LD 732 < us /kewney Rm R REP AF AIRGRAM EDPPB 7 JBxaAn FOR RM USE ONLY ARA Eur FE 4-387 UNCLASSIFTED NEA CU InR No. HANDLinG INDIcATOR 5 To Department of State P 10 3 INFO London Jidda FBo AID Beirut Kuwait Jux Jerusalem Tripoli Li 0 24 575 FsF SY Tel Aviv AgR com FrB FROM Amembassy AMAN DATE: June,18, 1968 InT LAB TAR SUBJECT Bishara Sirhan PressInterview June 16,1968 Jan TR XMB AiR REF Amman 5355 ARMY Cia Navy 55 o30 UsiA NSA The enclosed interview with Bishara Sirhan, father of 34 (0 2 Sirhan Bishara 8 irhan, appeared in ad-Difaz On June 17. FB Portions of a siilar interview carried ad-Dustour . containing certain variations and additional information, are enclosed. Enclosures: @Lf 1 Interview epearing in ad-Difaa 3 2. Portions of interview carried ~ by ad-Dustour 2 V FOR DEPT USE ONLX JNCLASSTFTED Io Out 6 Drafted by: Coatcoto Qad CDoolt; Spproved by: POL: RHFEiletreau/clc 6V/18/68 ADCHi SCElcki; ton Clearances: POL:Mrajer RcA PfcEiVed AmE Mutl WEA 7-(-68 20 by NS SmF} 1 FoRrJps 7/23

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