Transcript of pol_6_us_kennedy_06_15_1968_senator_robert_f._kennedy-part_5_of_6.pdf

================================================== Page 1 ================================================== Amman 4-387 Page 1 UNCIASSIFTED Enclosure No, 1 Text Of ad-Difaa articles June 17 1968 SIRHAN '$ FATHER I AMAN: A TAIK TO II AD DIFAA" AT MIDNIGHT At 2:00 p.I. yesterday, ad-Difaa learned that Mr_ Bishara Sirhan, father of Sirhan Sirhan, accused 0 assassinating Senator Robert Kennedy, arrived in Amman from the West Bank on a permit issued by the occupation uthorities. It is said that Mr Sirhan has come to Amman to clear up certain financial matters in' preparation for his departure for America. Until 10:00 p.m.: ad-Difaa searched high and low for him. In what hotel was he staying? In wnose nouse was he a guest? At last, we found him 'at the Hotel Continental_ Our reporter, Salah Abd &s-Samad, who spent over two hours with Mr. Bishara Sirhan; wrote the following interview. Bishara Sirhan was sitting calmly &d talking confidently. You could detect in his tone parental emotions _ The 52-year old man said, T The murder of Senator Kennedy saddened me because he was from the Kennedy fanily, but the picture has a second face. M "Which. RIi 01 The political face:.for the Senator was also an American politician, So on this I have a view to express." "Please. "I believe that the imbalance in Senator Kennedy' s speeches while electioneering for the Presidency was the primary cause 0f what happened." "How . 21 "He was pr omising certain parties to supply them with arms and aircraft with full awareness Qf the consequences of that proise. Its consequences would be more displacement of children, more orphans and more widows _ This is in addition to the degradation of and contempt for the Arabs in his speeches , a thing that made my son Sirhan feel insulted in tbat society where Senator Kennedy was speaking. An this is what pushed my son to act as he did_ Had the late Senator been reserved and merely called for peace in the Middle East, I thing would have happened." Ii Are Yo1 furious with Sirhan?t "In the first moments after I learned of the incident I was furious," "And now?" heart and mind are now with him. I believe that world opinion &d human conscience will stand by him. M UNCLASSIFTED "My ================================================== Page 2 ================================================== Amman 4-387 Page 2 UNCLASSIFTED Enclosure No. 1 "Why?" "Because he is a man of character by the testimony 0f his university teachers and friends . He is also a fervent Arab in every drop" of his blood." "What was the position 0f the Israeli authorities toward "At 4:30 a.m. of the following the news , an Israeli military car parked in front of my house. I wes then taken to the Military Governor' s office in Ramallah_ An Israeli officer asked about my that of Sirhan, and the family. M And the Israeli intelligence agency?" "It also interrogated me and wrote down information similar to that which I gave at the Governor' s office." II And what is the latest news about Sirhan?" "I learned that he told the investigators he refuses to be tried in the USA, and wants to be tried elsewhere." "What i9 bis pretext for that?" M1 He i5 not American. I a not either. None of my sons naturalized ." It What else?" "Two Lebanese lawyers &nd a Swedish lawyer have volunteered to defend my sona" "What do you imagine will be the sentence against Sirhan?u "I believe there are in the world people of free conscience_ I believe world public opinion will be on my son' s side because Sirhan was a model and did not commit his action except to prevent further tragedy &nd further dis - placement of children from their homes. Sirhan imagined that Senator Kennedy would add to those tragedies. For all that, I hope that people of conscience in the whole world will stand by my son." "I only wish the Los Angeles Court, and the American pet and members of the Kennedy family wold initate me . I "In what?" #1 In my toleration. My son Munir was killed in Jerusalem in 1946 after a car ran over him. But I pardoned the culprit and gave wp my rights, even the amount given to me as compensation, 500 dinars_ I, donated it to mosques and churches an to the poor. I hope that toleration will be observed by all during the trial 0f Sirhan." II Did you do anything to explain your views in defense 0f Sirhan?" UNCLASSIFTED good you?t day life, got boy ople only ================================================== Page 3 ================================================== Amman 4-387 3 UNCLASSIFIED Enclosure No. 1 I sent appeals to President Johnson, the and to U Thant. I appealed to them to work for peace in the Middle East and Vietnam S0 that the tragedy 0f Sirhan and Robert Kennedy would not be repeated. m "When do you leave for America to attend the trial?" "i am studying the matter from all angles, including the financial one and the question 0f my safety while there.' MI I That means you are afraid?" "No. I am not afraid_ The matter really requires careful study. Mi "Your style of talking indicates You are a lawyer?" "I am a mechanic. The credit for that belongs to the holy books: the Quran, the New Testament and the Old Testament. I studied them al1 and have them in my house side by side." "And if I request you to offer a last opinion in this interview. 3" "I say I hope tbe Arabs will unite." UNCLASSIFIED Page " Yes, Pope ================================================== Page 4 ================================================== Amman 4-387 1 UNCLASSIFTED Enc losure No. 2 Excerpts from ad-Dustour_ S Interview with Sirhan (1) "Bishara Sirhan, 52, is the father of five children and was in charge of a water section under the British Mandate Governent in Palestine until 1948 , He then came to Amman and worked on various water and mechanics projects until 1957 when be emigrated to the United States with his five children, Sharif Sa' 'dallah, Adel, Sirhan, and Munir. Three years 2g0, he returned alone to his native torn, Tayybeh, in the Ramallah area." (2) "At dawn on June Sixth while still asleep, I felt heavy footsteps on the stairs of my house. I awoke and heard the moukhtar (elder) of the village, Fayez Ma'addi,_knocking and saying, Open the door Abu Sharif. Don't be afraid. It's Fayez . I opened the door and Fayez entered `with two Israeli soldiers &nd three civilians, one Df whom began to question me in English, which I know well, about my identity and the history of my family and my son, Sirhan. I asked, 1 why all these questions? He answered that he was a correspondent of the NEW YORK TS and said, 'Did you hear about Robert Kennedy? Yes_ I yesterday I heard that someone fired at him in Los Angeles _ The reporter then said, 'Didn't you know it was your son Sirhan who shot him? 1 I said, 'What do you say? My son killed Kennedy? I think that most unlikely. When he affirmed the news to me, it was a violent shock _ I was furious and sad_ The reporter asked, what is your opinion on the matter? Do you know anything? I answered, here I am asleep in Tayybeh, a village over 12,000 miles from Los Angeles. Of course I do not know anything. It is an unpleasant, stunning, shocking surprise. The reporter asked, what is your feeling? I replied, If the report is correct, I am sorry for Kennedy &nd deeply regret the incident and am grieved that this has happened to my sona (3) "As I said before, there is no enity between the Kennedy and Sirhan families. I want both Arab and American opinion to listen to this statement Senator Kennedy had two personalities: first, he was a_ member of the American Kennedy faily; second, he was a great American statesman, On the personal level, I am grieved by his death and shall continue to be SO, As for Robert Kennedy the politician, that is a different matter. He stated time after time that he wanted certain nations to stronger and certain nations to weaker This, in my opinion, was a great error_ I bel ieve thoughtful men all over the world will agree. As a statesman, Kennedy ought to have been balanced in his statements and speeches and to have avoided saying things Liable to kindle batred in the Middle East. As a statesman he ought to have supported' peace, right and justice in the Middle East without favor" Israel." UNCLASSIFTED Page said, get get ought ing ================================================== Page 5 ================================================== Aman 4-387 2 UNCLASSIFTED Enclosure No. 2 (4) "I still believe my son is innocent despite the accusations But even is we suppose he did it, we must examine the motives and reasons that led him to such an act. His love for his homeland and religion must have overcome eveything else and incited hjm to act. I do not support violence or political assassination. But Kennedy was rash in his statements . I say also that the consciance of America, and its courts, and world public opinion will stand by Sirhan. " (5) "Sirhan has seen destruction and' death in bis Ow country, which last suffered war in 1967 . In spite 0f the fact that Sirhan left for America in 1957 and lived over ten years in American society, his religion and homeiand were constantly on his mind_ The late Senator Kennedy was the man who lit the fuse of the mine inside my son Sirhan." (6) "What is the program of your visit to Jordan?" "I arrived in Aman today with a one week permit. I want to see to my account in Intra Bank, where I had some money before June 1967 _ After that I will return to Tayybeh. m1 "Do you want to g0 to the United States?" "I am cons idering the matter in detail. I intend to hire lawyers to defend my son, but have not yet decided whether I personally will g0 to America to be with Sirhan dur- his trial_ m UNCLASSIFTED Page ing ================================================== Page 6 ================================================== ORigin/ACt:on DEP AR TMENT OF STATE F L Ls ]Kw& RkR RE? Af 48RGRAM Rsl-X F FOR Rm UsE ONLY ARA EUR FE 4-665 LIMTMOFFICTAL_WSE NEA CU No, AaNDliNG indicator 5R To DEPARTNENT OF STATE E 7 10 Jux Laj V .; FBo Aid ~Jc?ATFA AGR com FRb FROM AmEmbessy AMKARA DATE: JUNE 2968 INt LAB TAR SUBJECT Memoriel Arrengements Dea th of Senetor Kennedy TR XMB AiR REF STATE 177570 , STATE 178273 ARmy CiA Navy Jls 20 5 Mamorial services for Senetor Robert Kennedy vere erranged by tho 080 Usi A NSA Embessy in Ankera end the Consuler posts &t Adena end Istenbul. The ib 3 service in Istanbul Fes held et the TUSLOG Chapel on June 7 with Gonsul - T5s5 Generel Collins and his steff ettending. A similer servioe va5 held at the Bas0 Chepel in Adene on June 9 A Roquiam Mss Ves seid t the JU SMMAT euditorium in Ankere 0n Juna 9 with the Ambessador delivering the eulogy - Embessy personnel end other members of tho Amaricen mission in Ankere hav 8 raceived numerous letters, telegrams _ end telephone calls transmitting 0xpressions of sorrow and grief_ Most mombers of tne Diplomatic Corps hore heve written or telephoned personelly to the Anbassedor or signed the Book of Condolenc0 pleced in the Embessy rotunda _ Sponteneous gestures of borrow bBre mad0 bofore the fect of Sonetor Iennedy ' s deetn 7e& known, inoluding thet of the Minister-Counselor of Iren, Mr _ Hemeyoun Ardelan, who proposed 0 minute of silenc0 et the meeting of the CENTO Bud_ Committee on June 6 , A warm eulogy w& s delivered in the Grand : Nationel Assembly on June 10 by tre Honorable Kesim Gulek, Deputy for Adene There wore elso instences of individuels expressing the condolenc9s of schools_ such 88 the Yenimehalie Girls' Institute . Only 0 few lette; 1 raceived here were markedly belligerent or hostile _ 4 Tne following are representetive oxcerpte from letters, telegrens, and inscriptions in the Book of Condolonce : Turkish press bhare8 the deep sorrow folt in Your courtry end througnout the world ovar the 8s88ssinaticn of your va luable stategman and membor of the Senete, Robart Kennedy _ "Telegrem, Burhan Felek, Presiaent 0f Assooietion 02 Journalists, Istenbul LIMITED OFFI HiAI USE FOR DEPT_ USZ ONLY FoRm DS - 323 Io Our 4 02 Dralred by: Coatenta jud Claobiiicorion f pprovcd 5y; jbtsy CINS EEAla earances: DcM:WC urdowt 18, get "The ================================================== Page 7 ================================================== LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 2 Ankera ' s A- 665 "I was shocked on heering 0f the disgusting a sseult on the person of the Honoreble Senetor Robert Kennedy , which unfortunetely resulted in the deeth of this champion of peace and liberty - Words fail to express my profound sorrow Letter, Hejime Chori, Cept . Jepanese Nevy , Jepenese Deferse Atteche "In the short time 0f life given to him, Senetor Xennedy nad baoome one of the most outstend personalities in the politicel life of his country , end millions 0f people in the United States end 8l1 over the looked upon him with sympa thy and with hope . For his femily and for the American M1 netion his deeth is 8 loss thet words cennot express . Letter, Hon . Horst Groepper, Amba ssador 03 West Germany "Tha death of Mr _ Robert Kennedy , the protector 0 f PeeC 8 end democrecy , made uS very urheppy es well as the Amoricen paople _ 11 Inscription in Book 0z Condolence, Student, Middle Deast Tachnicel University 11 Our for the loss of Robert Kennedy is unlimited I am extending my oondolences not only to the people of tha United Stetes but elso to 811 men whatever rec0 , color, or oreed who are the members 0f the human femily and love to live in pee00 end freedom . Inscription in Book , Cemal Brten, Ma j Gen. (Ret.) , Turkish Air Force "Dear Robert Kennedy , Your wonderful dootrine of freedom, humenity, end courege , like Jour older brother, is the main anemy of Communism_ Kennedys and Turks join in the s&m0 and same objective. This is tne greet reason why Turks love Kennedj &nd cry for them. You Wust believe thet you ere resting in the neerts of most Turks Inscription in Book, Sukru Erdirer, Col (Ret.), Turkish Army "I e0 So unheppy that I cennot mrite mLch peceuse 1 e0 varj, very sorry. " Inscription in Book, Vecai Kopra_u Turkish oitizen "'Dear R.F, Kennedy, You and your excellent ideas ror 0l1 will live in our karts everlasting. M1 Inscriptior in Book, Ahmed Kubulay Turkish citizen "Quelle tragadie antique? " mi Inscription ir Bcoi, Ho,n. Robert Fenauz, Amoaszeuor of Belgiur LINETED OFFICIAL {SZ Fage ing worid grief goel ================================================== Page 8 ================================================== LIMTED OFFICZAL USE 3 Ankera A- 665 Tne following is the tert of Ambe ssedor Hert 5 eulogy given 8 + the memoriiel sarvioe in the JUSMMAT euditorium or June 9 "We ere gethered in grief once more. We mourn 8 man whose name in nis own time ves deeply Btohed in our history, whose loss is 8 loss to ell nations . "Robert Frencis Kennedy wes the third SOr to his perents. Fe wes the seoond brother to b0 struck down by hete ; end in this tragio decade 8 hundred yeers &fter our fretricidel wer, the brothers Zrom Nov Englend have baen joinea by Wrtin Luther 85 mrtjrs to divisiveness. "We wara not 2l1 disoiples 0f Robert Kennedy while he livod , but ell of us shere a oommon sonse 0f deprivetion 07 his pessing an elmost dosperate desire to give vent to our feelings 0f loss. "Tne Sena tor weS 8 generous mn, 8 loving fatner He could slip So 08sily out of himselt to join his aldience end leugh with ~hem et his own publio figure end thet of nis femily. But , it is enother side 0f Robert Kennedy wnicn concerns us row , his commi tmont to justice, to ossential human velues _ He didn't neve to oere _ No one would hev& critioizod or 0ven remerkad if he hed pursued 8 privete, comfortabla iife_ John Kennedy did not heve to g0 to Woest Virginie mine towns and Robert we S not pushed into Bedford-Stuyvesent and Wetts. But did cere end did g0 end in the end they were one with the people there . "In life end dea th 8 man is meesurad by the principles he reeps . Zulogies soften the sharper spurs 0f a mn S cheraoter, but for Robert Kennedy it would be wrong to do S0 Let us rememb0r he was 8 flinty man who shot out sperks _ Let us not forget his toughness and his temper . Let all our people S00 let 4s not bide from the world tne fire that leepea from nis soul +0 burn awey injustice. I} Our netion is 8 poorbr plece with the de&th 0f cenetor Konnedy. Yet if this terrible event ignites 8 aperk of awarene3s that violence is purposel0ss, if it provokes af increazed willing- ness to adjust inequities in our netion perneps 528 will ieve served his country in death a$ well &S ne did in life. m Our hearts and prayers gC to his fam_l7 wricn hes been 80 cruelly beraaved Our hopas and efforts 9rU 3 Jn tc assura triei his dee+.1 doez not signal the passing of W.ne t {G; L0 courai;eously stood fo:. LIMITED OFFICIAL iSw Pa 60 '9 King they they now , olt ================================================== Page 9 ================================================== LIMTED OFFICIAL USE Ankere S A- 665 "Therefore, let us unite, 8s We reoell the words of President Johnson " S proolemetion of this of netiona] mourning: 'A noble and compe ssionate leeder , a good end feithful servent of the people , in the full vigor of his promi lies dead from en essessin' s bullet, Tne tregedy and senseless violence 0f Robert F_ Kennedy" S death casts 8 deep shadov of grief ecross Americe and aoross the world _ This is 8 moment for a1l Americens to join nands end welk together through this derk night of common anguish into 8 new dewn of heeling unity Througnout the United Stetes, in our churches , in our homes , end in our hearts let uS resolve before God and before Beoh other that the purpose 0f progress end justice for which Robert F Kennedy lived shell endure. Ii The following is the text of the eulogy given by the Honorabla Kesim Gulek, Deputy for Adene , at the Grand National Assembly 0f Turkey on June 10, 1968 : "Honoreble friends ; I coma before Jou to honor the memory 0f Senetor Robert F _ Kennedy of the United Stetes, our friend end wno lost his lif0 suddenly in the line of duty. m1 Senetor Kennedy' s 88sessination is & tre gedy in S0 many weys . The eldest son in this femily , Joseph Kernedy Wes killed wnile & Reserve Air Force Lieutenent during 8 bombing mission in World War II, A second son, John Kennedy _ was killed wniie President _ "Now , tne third son is elso the victim of' cruel t6t6. It is a human tragedy thet three members of the semne fEiily eil died in tns neme 0f Tne whole World wes distressea & t tn0 horrib_e deeth of Robert Kennedy , who wes killed bafore te eyes 0z" nis wife, expecting her eleventh cnild "Rooert Kennedy wa 5 the creipicr of en6 ?scpl?, "gnter e@-st povery went and beckwercne:s . Fie nad (#Zij~~a0 ris iif8 t0 noble ideals _ Those idals for wnio l :e 2ou€nt 66f0 niman di,liiJ, freedor; sociil justice, end reciel 0gielity 140 Nezco questiofl , LIMITED OFFICIAL ~E Peg0 dey SB , elly , duty , ================================================== Page 10 ================================================== LIMTED OF?ICIAL USH 5 Ankera A- 665 one of Americe ' s greetest problems found in nim 8 spirit of determination for change end aquity. The Negroes sew Robort Kennedy e5 & kind of seviour in the struggle to obtain equel rights_ He often repeeted those words : "Views on reo0 , religion, politios should not be ceuses for enmi 16 "He was 8 breve man, fer-sighted and understending. He nad on many ocoesions proven these quelities. When nis brother was President, he becama Attorney Generel _ He wes 8 close edviser to his brother_ The recommendetions he mde during the Cuben crisis shoved his brother the President , & cleer course to follow- He veS eble to find 4 wey out of that conflict with cour8ge and dignity. Robert Kennedy , who died e t en eerly age , had many , long yeers before hin in which to serve nis country end mankind _ He did not elweys approva 0f the polioy thet his perty followed _ At times he criticized ana openly expressed his differences publicly. He made his critiosms sincerely. "I met Robert Kennedy personally at the tina Wa worked together on the Political Committe0 0f the North Atlantic Assemoly _ Ha wes an energetic , breve , and honest man_ At the same ~ime, there we3 8 sensitive, end retiring side to his naiure _ "The ideels for which Robort Kennedy fougnt end died and wes buried yesterdey et Arlington Ne tionel Cemetery beside the grave of his brother, are the idaels of ell mankind _ These ideels will live will find new Robert Kennedy ' s to cerry their torch forwerd _ With Robert Kennedy S death our friend , the Americen netion, hes lost & veluable son end the world 8 greet man. the Alwighty bless his soul_ (Appleuse ) Zhe Ebassy proposes that its Condolence Book be forwarded to the Kennedy family through Senator Eaward Kennedy - KERT' Xnclosure: Condolence Book LIMITED OFFICIAL USE Pag6 '5 ty. shy , on, May 6ms ================================================== Page 11 ================================================== PoL lo Us]keNNE [Jx ,RoBEet F 3 Op Department of State TELEGRAM 0E LIMITED OFF IC IAL USE 8 0 8 PAGE 0 | AMMAN 05356 1700442 1 2 | ACTION NEA 15 INF0 AF 09,EUR IS,RSR 0 | FB I 01 , SY 03,CIAE 00,DODE 00,GPM 04 , H 02) INR 07,L 03,NSAE @0 >NSC 10,P 04,RSC 01,SS 20,US I A 12,/107 W P R 1710052 JUN FM AMEMBA SSY A MMAN To SECSTA TE WA SHDC PRIOR ITY 5769 INF0 AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY BE IRUT AMCONSUL JERUSALEM A MEMBASSY TEL A V [ V AMEMBASS Y TRIPOL [ AMEMBASSY KUWA [ T US I NT CA [ RO LIMITED OFF IC IAL USF AMMAN 5356 SUBJ 8 KENNEDY ASSASS I NA T I ON REF : LONDON 9869 EMBASSY AAS JBTA I NED THROUGH JORDAN IAN SECUR ITy OFF IC IALS INFORMAT I ON WAICH EFFECTIVELY REFUTES INFORMA TION IN KIMCHE ARTICLE TO EFFECT THAT ACCUSED ASSASS IN 'S FAMILY NAME WAS ABU KHADER AND THAT HE WAS MARRIED IN SALT , LIKEWI SE 2 JORDAN I ANS HA VE NO RPT NQ INFO THAT SI RHAN B I SHARA S IRHAN V IS [ TED JORDAN AFTER 1957 EMIGRA TION To US ACCORD ING ThIS INF0 KIMCHE SOURcE HA S CONFUSED SIRHAN RISHARA S I RHAN WITh ONE SIRHAN SAL IM S IRHAN ABU KHADER LATTER , AT AGE 22, MARRIED In GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH IN SALT ON MA Y 27 , 1957 LILLY YUSSUF MIKHA IL ABU KHADER LILLY WAS THEN A TTENDING ORTODOX CHURCH SChOOL IN SALT . HER MOTHER IS HILLALA AwAD SIRHAN HILLALA AND HER HUSBAND, YUSSUF , PRESENTL Y LIVE IN ZERKA , TOWN 15 KILOMETERS NORTh OF AMMAN WHERE HE WORKS IN STONE QUA RRY , SIRHAN SALIM AND WIFE LILLY ARE BEL IEVED NOW LIVING IN DETRO IT , THE ABU KHADER FAMILY WAS OR IGIONALL Y FROM TA [ BEH IN PALESTINE' BUT 0 UNT IL RECENT MOVE To ZERKA > HAD LIVED IN SALT FOR LAST S IXTY YEARS 0 THERE APPARENTL Y LIMITED OFF ICIAL USE S PARTMEN? 1 6J 1 STATES 68 IS ================================================== Page 12 ================================================== Op Department of State TELEGRAM TES OF 2i LIMTED OFF ICIAL USE PAGE 72 AMMAN 05356 1714142 DISTANT F AMILY REL 1 TIONSHIP BETWEEN FAMILY 0F SIRHAN B I SHARA [BIRHAN A ND FAMILY OF SIRHAN SAL IM S[RHAN ABU KHADER EMBASSY HAS CLASs IF IED THIS MESSAGE BUT PERCEIVES NO OBJECTION To ITS RELEASE As DEPARTMENT DEEMS APPROPRIATE 0 XS LIMITED OFF ICIAL USE Q#PARTMEN? 1 1 1 STAT ================================================== Page 13 ================================================== Op TLE 2Ls]tnnly), Department State TES OF "2 Statc _ TELECRAM UNCLASS IF IED 460 PAGE 0; LONDON 10004 1718552 53 ACTION EUR 20 INFO AF 49 , NEA 13,CIAE Q0,DODE 00,GPM 04,A 02,INR 07,4 032NSAE 0 0 , NS: ` 10 , P 04,RSC 0|,SP 02,SS 20,US I A 12{RSR 01) sY 03,FB [ 01,/112Jw P R 1718122 JUN 6& FM AMEMBASSY LONDON To SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4235 INF0 AME BASSY AMMAN AMEMBASSY BEIRUT AMCONSUL JERUSALEM AMEMBASSY TEL A V [ V US INT SECT SP ANISH EMB CA I RO UNN AMEMBASSY KUWA I 7 UNN AMEMBASSY TRIPOL I UNN 0 UNCLAS LONDON 10 0 ( 4 SUBJECT : KENNEDY ASSASS I NAT ION REF < LONDON 9869 . FOliowING ARTICLE B Y JON KIMCHE QUOTED IN Toto FROM JUNE 17 EVENING STANDARD . ENTITLED FB [ PROBE MIDDLE EAST TRAVELS. QUOTE & THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION A T HOME A ND UNITED STxTES OFFICIALS ABROAD HA VE BEEN ACTIVE OVER THE WEEKEND IN SEEK -NG To PENETRA TF THE SICKENING SMOKE SCREEN WHICH IS SETTLING ON THE ROBERT KENNEDY ASSASS INA TION- ESPE ICALL Y OVER SiRHAN RISHARA S I RHAN vS IMMEDIATE PAST . THEY HA VE BEEN PROB I NG NEw INFORMAT ION COVER ING A T LEAST FOUR FORE IGN COUNTR IES CONCERN I VG S IRHAN S MOVEMENTS . In DO ING S0 THEY ARE SAT I SF IED ThA > SI RAAN S CONST ITUT IONA L RIGhTS FOR A FA IR TRIAL WILL NOT BE JEOPARDISED ON THE CONTRARY , IT IS thOught THAT TIMEL Y ActrON AND REVELA TION MA Y PROTECT HIS LIFE MORE EFFECTIVELY ThAn FORMALISTIC SILENCE --ESPEC IALL Y IF SIRHAN SHOWS ANY INCL INATION To TaLk FREELY . NEW INFORMATION WHICH HAS REACHED THE Ue S @ GOVERNMENT CLA [MS To G I VE DETA ILS OF S RHAN 'S JOURNEY T0 SYR :4 IN 1964 , THE TIME HE WENT , WHERE HE WENT, HOw HE WENT , AND WHAT HE DID v UNQUOTE 3RJ E: 0 UNCLASS IF IED S PARTMEN? 1 J 1 STA < J ================================================== Page 14 ================================================== Op Po / budkaudti Rskvi F Department of State TELEGRAM TES 33 CONF I DENT IAL 266 PAGE 0 | RABAT 04731 1716392 49 ACTION NEA 15 INF0 AF 09,SY 03,SS 20,CIAE B0,DODE 00 , INR 07,P D4,RSC 01,US [ A 12, : NSA 02,h 02,RSR 01 , /076 W R 1716 ] 02 JUN 68 FM AMEMBASSY RABA T To SECSTATE WASHDC 4731 # C 0 N F [ D E N T [ A L RABA T 4731 (i REF : SECSTATE 182627 REUTERS ITEM ON KENNEDY ASSASS I NA T ION CITED REFTEL HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED B Y LOCAL' NEWS MEDIA , GP - 4 0 TASCA 6 CONF IDENTIAL QPARTMEN? 1 J 1 STA OF RS/R XICROFILHED ================================================== Page 15 ================================================== oRigin/ AcTiON K DEP ARTMENT OF STATE 6 U9/nzn"ed) 2 RI R REP ATRG RAM RoBz R 1 5 FOR RM USE ONLY ARA Eur FE 51424 UN ICLASSIFIED NEA CU NR No HaNDLinG INDICAToR To DEPARTMENT OF STATE 10 Fbo Aid A6R com FRb FROM Amembassy TUNIS DATE: June 17 , 1968 INT LAB TAR SUBJECT Comemoration of Robert Kennedy TR XmB AIR REF ARmy CIA NAvY [ low requiem mass for the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, organized by che 080 Usi A NSA Embassy under the sponsorship of the Ambassador , was held at the Roman 3 Catholic Cathedral at Tunis on Saturday, June 8 _ The nass was attended by approximately 600 people Including 15 Ambassadors and representatives of about 27 other diplomatic tissions and the Tunisian government, members of the Anerican community In Tunisia, and a number of Tunisian citizens. The mass was said in English by the Reverend Father Laurence Smith, a British subject and chaplain to the English-speaking Ca tholic comunity in Tunisia, assisted by the French Adinistrator of the Ca thedra l, Reverend Father Massisien. The Archbishop of Tunis, Monsignor Michel Ca llens, presided. The DCM, Edward W. Mul and an American Catholic layman served as acolytes _ Seated inslde the sanctuary were two visiting digni- : taries of the Anglican Comunion, the Right Reverend Lane Barcon, Episcopa] Bishop of Eastern Oregon, and the Venerable Archdeacon Dunbar, formerly Vicar of St. George 1s (Anglican) Church, Tunis Bishop Barton briefly and led the" congregation in prayer for Senator Kennedy and his family_ Archbishop Callens delivered a eulogy and conducted the traditiona ] absolution prayers at the end of the mass in French . The Cathedral organist rendered a Ppropriate selections during the mass . officers of the Emba= US IS and USAID served as ushers_ The 2cunenical aspect of the service is believed to have set a precedent in Tunis, The Embassy encloses_ for such disposition as the rtment may wish , the condolence book for Senatory Kennedy which was placed in the Chancery foyer from June 6-10. RUSSE _ Enclosure: Condolence Book 4l UNCLASS IFIED FOR DEPI USE ONLX Form 323 Lo Out 62 Drafted y : Cootedro Ood Cincazion APproved by; FuL EHSacksrederLEJAlexabderi_ece 6 L1AL68 DCM: ElMulcahy_|uY Clcarances; o' ( = AF 20 LD cahy, spoke SSy , Depa DS - ` ================================================== Page 16 ================================================== DEPT,DISTRIBUTION ORIG INZAC TION DEP ARTMENT OF STATE _5 ATRGRAM 62 6 25/ke,e_ RS/R A F ARA tkxk & Original to be Filed in Decentralized Files. FILE DESIGNATION EUR NEA CU UNCLASSIFIED A-461 [NR HANDLING INDICAToR To Department of State FBO Aid Jyn L 1 1, 4Pii AGR cOM FRB INT FROM :Amembassy LUSAKA DATE: 17 June LA B TAR TR XMB SUBJECT PPresident Kaunda S Speech on Senator Robert F Kennedy' s AIR ARMY NA vY OSD Assassination REF 3 3+ USIA NSA CIA HSC 10 0 28 Following is the full verbatim text of President Kenneth Kaunda S remarks about the assassination of Senator Robert F Kennedy as recorded by the Zambia Information Services during the SUGGESTED DISTRIBUTION President s speech at Lusaka International Airport on June 7 , 1968 . An official sumary of the speech was previously submitted as Enclosure No . 6 of Lusaka 4-456 _ BEGIN TEXT : I come to what I think is a very sad matter and I will end on this note. You all know that during my absence this world ) in many ways ) the sad world has lost one of this generation S outstanding, dynamic and young Post RQUTING leaders in the person of late Robert Kennedy_ This is a To: Action Info. Initials very sad thing. I think we must make our views known to 8 AmB Po the American Government that we fail to understand that DCM leaders of that type--first was John Kennedy second, 7 p POL Martin Luther and now Bobby Kennedy _ We seem to ECON see a very strange pattern here where leaders , such out- T standing men ) who have a lot to contribute to this world U CONS can be protected when they are dead_ We think this e ADM very strange indeed. I hear that there were 500 police Aid officers at the airport--but this was to receive a dead Jsis How does this happen? We have a right to complain because we believe that in the person of John Kennedy we lost a wan who can never ever be replaced at all And now John Kennedy-_-I mean FTCE Robert Kennedy--again the same pattern; protection was Action Taken: Date: UNCLASSIFIED For Department Use_Onlx FORM Initials: 10-64 DS -323, In Out Drofted by= Drafting Date: Phone No: Contents and CTassificaton Approved By; Charge : WBEdmondson:S 6-14-68 Clearances: t U. COVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1966 0 202-214 (258) 7 RSk-e 1. 1968 King, only body . ================================================== Page 17 ================================================== Lusaka A- 461 UNCLASSIFIED 2 given after the assassination had been comitted_ This is very difficult to understand and I think we have a right as citizens of this world to protest to the American Government have to do soue thing more, If they understand their society, know that obviously something ought to be done _ We think this is shameful, very shameful indeed_ As I say we cannot understand this at all. Now obviously , we can t see what part the Kennedy fawily is going to play in the politics of the United States. There is One young man now left in that family. How can it be? In the short space of five years . I repeat, we have a right to protest to that Government. We feel strongly about this _ We are international- ists and people who liked John Kennedy = Martin Luther people like Kennedy , who stand to strike at the call of the international problem f poverty. I think we have a right to regard them as our friends . Well, however, tomorrow_-I would like to ask all of you--those of uS who g0 to churches, to remember the Kennedy family in our prayers; to remember this young man that we have just lost_ And indeed, I now order that the Commissioner of Police should send Police messages throughout the country. For broadcast, Radio Zambia should help us and broadcast this message that tomorrow we will be mourning Bobby Kennedy and al1 flags should at half mast As we remember this young man tomorrow in our prayers , wherever we let it be understood that all we have about this young man shows clearly that he was one of the few American leaders who identi- fied themselves with the poor whether were black, white or Mexicany Puerto Ricans , whatever were, he was advancing their cause_ And indeed the society in which he was found when he was shot , as we well know, is a society of the poor_ It is a very , very great achievenent , we must al1 accept_ For a very rich man to genuinely come down and speak the voice of the poor 1s not an easy thing to achieve and, therefore, in Bobby Kennedy just like in his brother, just like in Martin Luther King, we have lost a sincere friend and it is our duty to show and demonstrate that by observing tomorrow as our national of mourning for this young man . Prayers will be conducted on Sunday . END TEXT _ EDMONDSON WNCLASSIFIED They got they only King, Bobby fly are , they they day Iee ================================================== Page 18 ================================================== OP Pol 6 U5 |Ke nne 0Y ,Pobeet 31 F Department of State TELEGRAM TES Of 3 CONF [ DENTIAL 807 PAGE 0 | AMMAN 05355 1711182 ACTIon NEA 15 1 INF0 Vo 02'SCA 02'C [ AE 00, [NR 07 ,NSAE 00,RSC @ |,SY 032SS 20,Jus 02_ P 94,US IA 12'L 03,NSC 10 RSR 0 1082 W FMR/ AMEMBASSY JUNm68 38 To SECSTATE WASHDC PRICR [ TY 5768 INF0 AMEMBA SSY TEL A V IV AMCONSUL JERUSALEM AMEMBASSY BE IRUT AMEMBASSY NICOS [ C 0 N F [ 0 E N T [ A L AMMAN 5355 SUBJ : KENNEDY ASSASSINA TION REF : STA TE 184216 IV, B I SHARA S IRHAN , FATHER OF SIRHAN BI SHARA SI RHAN, NOw IN AMMAN AND INTERVIEW WIth AIM CARRIED In "AD DUSToUR" OF JUNE 17 , ARTICLE ST ATES B[ SHA RA IS CONS IDER ING APPLYING FOR VISA To US , SEP - ARA TE MFSSAGE WILL DEAL In DETA IL WITh PRESS TREATMENT . 2 0 WE HAVE SPOKEN To APPROPR IATE JORDANIAN OFF IC IALS RE RECOMMENDA TION ThA T B SHARA S I RHAN A VO[D STA TEMENTS WHICH COULD PREJUDICE CASE OF SON WHEN HE COMES FOR TRIAL ' ADV ICE CONTAINED PARA FOUR REFTEL WILL BE PASSED To BISHARA SIRHAN BY JORDANIAN OFF 1 CIALS WIthout USG A TTRIBUTION= SY MMES CONF IDENT IAL ~ PARTMEN? 1 J 1 STA IS ================================================== Page 19 ================================================== ORIGIN /ACTION DEP ARTMENT OF STATE Us 'Jermty, RM/ R REP H-> A F AZRGRAM Robnt F; FOR RM USE ONLY A RA EUR FE lv A-190 UNCLASSIFIED NEA CU INR NO. HANDLING INDICA TOR To Department of State 10 FBO AID 7ed F AGR COM FRB FROM Amembassy BRIDGETOWN DATE: June 17 , 1968 INT CA B TAR SUBJECT Senator Kennedy S Death: A Tribute to the Late Senator Robert Kennedy by the Honorable J, Cameron TR XMB AIR REF Tudor 1 Barbados Minister of: State for Caribbean and Latin American Affairs ARMY CA NA VY 2 OSD USI A NSA 10 Forwarded at the request of Mr J Cameron Tudor Barbados Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Of State for Caribbean and Latin American Affairs, are copies of a radio address which he gave in tribute to the late Senator Robert Kennedy Mr Tudor has requested that these be made available to the Kennedy family. 8 TORREY tneacaq& t tori&y tkamomtz 6/20 9z + Enclosures: Tribute to Senator Kennedy (4 copies) UNCLASSIFIED FOR DEPT USE ONLY FORM DS-323 In Out 4 62 Drafted by: DCM CPTor rey/aeh 6/17/68 Contents and Classification Approved by: Clearances: & (4) 0 & 6 6/2? 3 psxR, ================================================== Page 20 ================================================== 7 4980n5' i; IAH : FOR CONGEESSIONAL RELATiNS 1968 JUN 19 PM 4 17 LRE ================================================== Page 21 ================================================== 2 June 17 1968 Dear Mr . Anbassador: The tragic and untimely death of Senator Robert 2 Kennedy has cone a5 4 great shock to all Americans I have been asked to express deepest appreciation on behalf of the Secretary of State and the people 0f the United States for the Vords 0f sympathy which you conveyed from the Government and people 0f South Africa. The knovledge that your countrymen share our distress is 4 source of great confort and consolation Sincerely yours C Thonas HE. Quimby 7 3 Acting Assistant Secretary for African Affairs His Excellezca Taswell 3 Ambassador of South Africa , 3051 Massachusetts Avenue N,W., ^ Washington D.C . 20008 AF :AFS CC ;8 8 jmb 8 mb:bjr 6/14/68 29 3 6/17/68 retyped Clearances V JOCC-se) AFS-Mr Campbell S/s-Mr Parker RS M- I (bj^ GGay ================================================== Page 22 ================================================== 38 Qu ~b EMBAsSY OF sOUth AFRICA AMBASSADE VAN SUID-AFRIKA WASHINGTON, D_ C_ 20008 5th June 9 1968 _ ACTION is assigned to AF Dear Mr . Secretary, I have been &sked by my Government Rsf^ to inform you of the profound feelings 0f shock, distress and sympa thy with which the news 0f the cowardly ettempt on the life of Senator Robert @ Kennedy Wa s received by them and the people of South Africa I enclose a copy of 8 letter which I haVe todey sent to Hrs Kennedy , offering our best wishes for her husband S rapid azd comple te recovery . Sincerely yours 9 ^ #aT7~ o S H.L.. Tasvell Anbassador [ The Honourable Dean Rusk, Secretary of State, Tnited State8 Departuent 0f Stte, WASHLINGTON Dc : { En _lillu il L;l c//x 12949 2 ================================================== Page 23 ================================================== Sth June, 1968 . Deer Mre , Kennody , I have been aked to exprebg t0 you the profound feelinge Qf Bhook , di8trega end gympa thy with Which the Governont end peoplo of the Ropublfo Of South Afric learned of the cowardly &tteck on your buabend and to convoy thefr beet wlehea for hie repid and complete recovetY , Fhe thouehta Of By nIfe and Aybelf &nd ell et thie Babebey ere vory moh Flth ybu ana Jour ohlldren 0 + thie tieo . Sincerely youre, A.L.T. Teewell Anbaa8edor Mro . Robort F . Kennedy, c/o To Peraona 1 8coretary +o Senator Robert ? New Sene to OffIce Eeraiiding, EASHINGZOW De- ================================================== Page 24 ================================================== OF Pal z us]kanty, {ees F Department of State TELEGRAM TES 3 LIMITED OFF [ € IAL USE 496 t433 J ADEN 7 | 437 16! [ #17 1 2 5 Act]on NEA 15 InFO Ciae 2WpDOQE w , GPM 04,H 22; INR 07>1 03 : NSC fw,P 04,RSC 0 | , SP SS 2W , US IA 1 PSR V1,/08 i N 2 5 - R 16094'2 JUN 68 FM ANEMEASSY 4CEN To SECSTATE WASHDC 1644 LIMITED #fFlciAL USE ADEN 14 37 2 X ~ ADEN '$ 04[LY NEWSP PER , "| 4 OCTCBER" , CsRRIED EC] To;'AL CQM~ENT JUNE 16 KE ROBERT KENNEDY . LinF WA= 7i+XT AS:/3 (NfT!On Was NOT MORE HoRRIlE THA N ELImiNATION 2F HUNnREDS O: ThousANDS QF ARASS ESPECIALLY THOSE "'6"9Ad*CA EL B Y McbEtN AME?ICAN ARMS + # KENNEDY WAS DE?C?[RED 4S "V[CTIm OF Fi [ 6 Oin ARROGANCE ANd AIs BL IND FANATICISM FOR ISRAEL" WHILE €{-HAN W 4S ONE OF THE THOUSANDS OF PALESTINIAN YOuThS PAINFD Tj SEC THEIR 14 vD QCCUP [ED WHEN AMERICAN JstIcE LENDS Nj EARS T0 THEIR DEMANDS To LIVE ARTICLE CONCLUD ) THAT "WE Do NOT APPROVE Of IND IV [DUAL ASSASS INA TICN Wch IS NOT TRUE SOLUTION To OUR JUSt CAUSE S FUT A T SAME TiME W€ Ou NJT LIKF RASH AcCVSATIN RECAUSE THERE ARE Enough TRAGE?IES IN QUR OCcUP IED LANos To ?RODUCE THQUSANDS OF Youtha LIKE S [RHAN 0 # C , AcOvE COMMENT KEPRESENTS SE:JND Look S0*E LOCAL ARAH NA TIONALISTS A RE TAK [NG FOLLOW ] 'G ThEiR EARL [FR ShOck 0 REGRET A vd GENERALIZED CONDEMNAIJN Of KENNEDY ! S ASsAS:;:[ON EAGLETON 3 LIMiTED OFF IcIAL USE ~PARTMEN? 1 7 1 STA OF 2 0 ================================================== Page 25 ================================================== Op 2 2LS |2meeLy Departmen o} Suat Siate F, TELEGRAM TES 0P 2 7 CONF IDENTIAL 53 | PAGE 3 | London 9947 1618 [92 50 ACTION Sy 63 INF0 EUR 15,NEA 13,SS 20,NSC 10,RSC RSR 0 1,SS0 0 0 NSCE 09 , /663 0 P 1617502 JUN 68 FM AMEMBASSY LONion To SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4209 INF0 AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIOR TY AMEMBASSY BEIRUT AMCONGEN JERUSALEM AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV C 0 N F [ D E N T I A L LONDON 9947 SUBJ : KENNEDY ASSA SS INA T ION REF : STA TE 183 1 94 $ LONDON 9945, 9946 , 1. JON KIMCHE PROv IDED EMBOFF FOL' A DDITIONAL INF0 FROM HIS SOURCE EVENING JUNE 16, A 0 ON ONE TRIP To EAR EAST S I RHAN SAILED FROM NEW YORK As CREW MEMBER . ON ANOTHER HE TRANS I TED CANADA . 8 < S IRHA N REPORTEDLY WA S A T QATANA TRA INING CENTER NEAR DAMA SCUS JUNE -SEPT , 1964 , C . IN FEB, 1966 SIRHAN WENT To BEIRUT AND STA YED WITh A PALESTINIAN CHRISTIAN FAMILY A T AL HAMA " THEN HE SPENT THREE MONTHS A T MA ' AD I TRA INING CENTER, CA I RO , AND Two MONthS IN GA ZA STR IP , D o SIRHAN ' S F ATHER NOw HAS LARGE SUM OF MONE Y FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE ' FALSE REPORT ALLEGING RECORD OF PREVIOUS MENTAL INSTABILITY AND PERIOD In MENTAL HOSP I TAL BE ING PREPARED 2 , KIMCHE NOTED IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE To CHECK SOURCE ' S [NF0 THA T SIRHAN AWA Y FROM U'S, FOR Two PERIODS OF MoNthS 3 0 EMBOFF ASKED How SOURCE REACTED To IDEA AIs MIGhT BE CONF IDENT IAL SPARTMEN? 1 1 1 STAT ================================================== Page 26 ================================================== Op Department of State TELEGRAM TES 0F J1 CONF I DENT ]AL PA GE 22 LONDON 09947 161 8 192 JTFFERENT SIRHAN ThAN THE ONE BE ING HELD FN CONNEcTION ASSASSINA TIQN . KIMCHE SA ID SOURCE CLA IMS HE AB SOLUTEL Y CERTAIN OF HIS INF0 . KIMCHE ThINKS SOURCE PLA Y ING FAIR WITh HIM, AND HA S ACCESS To INSIDE FA TAH INFQ 4 - HOWEVER, IN FURTHER EXCHANGE KIMCHE GA VE FIRST INDICA TION Qf UNZERTA 1NTY , HE ACKNOWLEDGED POSs [3IL ITY OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY 0 AVD HE SA I ) > "] CAN " T GUARANTEE ThIs) Bit THERE I) IS- 0 GP - 3 ARUCE CONF I DENTIAL ARTMENT 1 8 J 1 STA ================================================== Page 27 ================================================== Op 724717] Rnnueaz Department of State TELEGRAM 2 TES 0f CONF I DENT IAL 498 PAGE 9 [ LONDON 9946 16 | 1032 12 AcTION Sy '3 INFO EUR 15 , NEA 13,SS 20 NSC 1 0 , RSC W1, RSR 6,1,/063 W P R 1617322 JUN 6 8 Fm AMEMRA SSY LONDON To SECSTA TE WASHDC PR [OR ITY 4203 INF0 A MEMBASSY AMMAN AMEMBA SSY BE IRUT AMCONGEN JERUSALE M AMEMB A SSY TEL A V I V C 0 N F [ D E N T [ A L LONDZN 9946 SUB JECT : KENNEDY A SSASS I NA TION < V REF & LONDON 9945 } STATE 1831 94 ^ 1 GUEST [ ON OF JQ V KIMCHE ' S REL IAB IL ITY AROSE IN EMBOFF EXCHANGE W{Th ISR4 EL F[RST SEC YEHUDA TA GGAR EVENING JUNE 15, (EMBOFF DID NO > MENTION His EARLIER EXCHANGE W I Th KIMCHE . TAGGAR SA I D WHEN HF 4RRZVED LONDOv APOUt THREE YEARS AGO HE MADE SPEC IAL EFFORT CULTIVATE KIMCHE BECAUSE OF THE IR MUTUAL FRIENDSHIP W ITh FON . 5 MiNISTRY ADV [ SER EZRA DANIN & AFTER ORSFRV ING HOw OFTEN KIMCHE WAS PRCVED WRONG , A ND IN VIEw KIMCHE !5 REFUSAL NAME SUch SOURCES A = XS "CORRESPONDENT IN CA IRO , TAGGAR GA VE AIm UP & WHEN ASKED & iSRAFL EMPASSV HERE Ov BACK GROUND BA SS STRESSES KIMCHE ' S LACK QF CONNECTION with G0 [ AND HIS "GENERAL UNREL IABIL ITY P AS JOURNA:IST 2 > 7ACGAR ALSO VOLUNTEERED ThA T XIMCHE GLOA TED To HIM RE UK MO[} Off[CiAL MCGUIRE 'S CONGRATULA:DNS A BOut MA Y 7ARtICLE (PARA 4B L(;NOON REFTFL) 3 cOrMENT : IN RECENT YEARS KIMCHE HAS CONS f STENTLY EVINCED Low JP]N: Oi ISRAEL [ PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMATS 2 AND THEY OF HIMo HIS PR {MARY 60 ] CONTACTS HAVE BEEN MCSTLY WiTh IDF INTELLGENCE A ND OfhFR OfF ICE Rs HE WAS RFPUTEDLY CLOSE To FORMER DEPUTY MINDEF PERES- YFSTERDAY HF SPCKE WARML Y Of AMB To ITALY A VRIEL? AND [NDiCA TEO ONL Y C]VIL:AN "ESTABL ISHMENT ! OFF X CAL HE RESPECTS IS Y , *ACOV HERZCG GF PRyMIN FSHKOL "5 OFFICE CONF I DENT IAL Q PARTMEN? 3 { 1 STAT 3f ================================================== Page 28 ================================================== OF Department of State TELEGRAM TES CONF I DENTIAL PAGE 02 LONDON 9946 1601m32 JP #RCCE CJNF IDENT ; AL ARTMENT 1 8 J 1 L~ STA OF ================================================== Page 29 ================================================== Qntam Action DEP ARTMENT OF STATE AEs AIRGRAM F1 6 Us Iewweo} ksgev RM/ R REP AF F FOR RM USE ONLY ARA EUR 5 4 A-685 LIMTTED OFFICIAL USE Xx ~C 11 45 NEA CU INR NO. HANDLING NDIcA ToR :0 TO Department of State P 10 2 FBO AID IMFO: AmCon ASMARA 2RT; 4 |J 7pFpm Li [2 A GR COM FRB FROM Amembassy ADDIS ABABA DATE: June 15, inT LAB TAR SUBJECT Soviet Daily News on RFK Murder TR XMB AIR REF ARMY CIA NAVY 3 Z0 The murder of Robert F Kennedy was covered feirly as siduously by the OsD UsI A NSA Soviet Daily News in Addis Ababa . Though the June 6 issue only carried a 34 [0_ 3 short tail-end item announcing the bare facts of the shooting, a long lead W #-, Mc @€ story the next characterized the murder as the third in a series of 3 plannedgangsterist shooting. m Entitled "The Shots In Ios Angeles and written by & Novosti correspondent, Va Ardatovsky , the piece links the assassinations of President Kennedy, Dr Martin Luther and Senator Robert Kennedy. The lone assassin explanations are derided and the acts of terror are ascribed to "the situe- tion within the country and its foreign policy which concentrates on the Ji war in Vietnam. Mi The most recent murder is seen as a deliberate move by the "Ultras (extreme rightists) to RFK because he was sharply critical of U.S_ AlB policy in Vietnam and because he favored radical transformetions in the AYCM U,S, racial situation as well as in domestic and foreign policy. PbL A+1 On June 1l the Soviets printed a short piece on page 2 entitled "Where Usjs Does The Policy of War and Racialism Lead To?" Devoted to the U.S_ Communist Party' s remarks on the murder , it asserted that acts of terror 5 are directed against public figures in the U.S, who oppose "extreme m1 militarism and racialism. The article also states that predominance of the military-industrial complex birth to an atmosphere of violence 11 and extrene-rightist fascist ~like movements What is more , the series of political murders "reflect the violence, brutality and the devaluation of hwan values which are a result of the policy of' aggressive wars and m} geciggisra HALL Enclosures : 1. June 7 erticle, Sov. Deily News Decontrolled ULWV M1 June 11 article, Soviet Daily News following 6/15/69 FQR DEPT USE ONLY FORM LIMITEDOFFICTAL_USE 82 DS-323 In Out Drafted by: Contents and Classification Xppproved by: POLiRJGross cer:6/14/68 ADCM- William A Stoltzfus Clearances: ksJk 1968 day King, stop "the gives ================================================== Page 30 ================================================== Addis Ababa A-685 Enclosure #1 LIMTED OFFICIAL USE I} Shote in Ios Angeles by V. Ardatovsky, Novosti Press Agency, printed as lead story in Goviet Daily News June 7, 1968 "The United States hes once covered itself with disgrece: It is difficult to cell a country a civilized state in which hired assassins the before yesterdey shot President Kennedy, yesterday Luther the progressive leader, and today Senator Robert Kennedy_ "The shots_ in Dallas in Memphis and in Los Angeles are links in the chain in which political gangsterism has enmeshed the United States _ To ascribe the crimes to maniacs who act on their own, &s has been the case and which undoubtedly will elso be undertaken in the future, means to lie. The situation within the country and its foreign policy, which concentrates on the war in Vietnam,has made al1 forms Of terror egeinst progressive forces and political leaders who uphold different a regulerity. "It is, by no means accidental thet the crime in Los Angeles was perpetrated imediately following Robert Kennedy S obvious victory in the primaries in such a key state as California: His politicel opponents could not but experience anxiety due to the fact that the next towards the White House was made by 8 person who sharply criticises Washington" 's Vietnem policy, by an adherent of radicel transformations in the sphere Of combatting racial discrimination and of other changes in the country 1 S domestic &nd foreign policy. "In 'awakening Americe, which is starting to seriously think about its destiny &nd its plece in the world, the rise in the authority of Such people a8 Robert Kennedy &nd Eugene McCarthy is an irreversible phenomenon. And once egain the Ultras, basing thenselves apparently on most influential quarters , decided to resort to gangster methods: otherwise, they could not count on removing either Kuther or Robert Kennedy . "In the Soviet Union the news about the crime in Los Angeles was received with sorrow, The name of the talented young American statesman i8 widely know, The stand taken by Robert Kennedy on many questions in perticular his role in the struggle for ending the war in Vietnam end for the rights of the Negro population is regarded here with respect _ Soviet people are sincerely indignant over the fact that today in 1968, acts of crude political gangsterism are possible. Present- America will for long, for very long indeed, have to wesh off the disgrace with MI which it has covered itself in recent years . LIMTED OFFICIAL USE "The again day King, views , step King, deep ~ay ================================================== Page 31 ================================================== Addis Ababa A-685 Enclosure #2 LITTED OFFICIAL USE "Where Does The Policy of War and Recialism Lead To?" , printed in middle 0f Page 2, Soviet Daily News, June 1l, "The terror campaign in the United States i8 directed against those public figures who in one form or other , to the position spear- heeded against extreme militerism and racialism, says & statement of the U.S, Comunity Party issued in connection with the murder of Robert Kennedy. "Such murders, of which numerous examples could be cited, reflect the violence, brutality &nd the devaluation of humen values which are & result of the policy 0f aggressive wers and raciali the statement continues _ The predominance of tbe military-industrial complex gives birth to an etmosphere of violence and extreme-rightist fascist-like movements Such acts of brutelity are the reverse side of the vindic- tive imperialist aggression against Vietnan, which is tantamount to Mi genocide. LIMTED OFFICIAL USE 1968 keep, Sm , ================================================== Page 32 ================================================== GcR PM 4 49 1983 Ji:: ================================================== Page 33 ================================================== bh 6 usfkersoyRobeet $ Department of State TELEGRAM o9 24 CO 133 DECLASSIFIED Authority: PAGE 0 | TRIPOL 3966 1512242 NW 88872 49 ACTION NEA 15 InFo AF 09,EUR 15,SY 03,SS 20,NSC [V,INR 07,P 04,H 02,US [ A 12,CIAE 00, NSA - 60,DOD 00,RSR M1,RSC 01,/099 W P R 15!1382 JUN 6 R FM AMEMRASSY TRIpoli To SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 28 [ 6 INFO 4MFMSASSY AmMAN AMEMBASSY BEIRUT AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV STATE DEPAFTMENT Systema AMEMBASSY JIDD 4 Faiain cless'n O 7IC FEVIE Chanceiciassily t AMEMBASSY KUw4 [ T Declassily witn concurrence ol_ AMEMBASSY LoNdon EO 2958, 25X AMEMBASSY Ra?AT FPCIHDR by BD Date: H Jac 8 AMEMBASSY TUN-3 AMEMBASSY ADEN Withdia"va' d3. IS_2 8 AMEXBASSY JERUSALEM AME ZASSY BENGHAZ I 4MEMBASSY BAIDA 8 2 ~ TRIPOLI 3966 DEPT PASS C4IR0 0 , Mvu 9 REF : sTATE 182627 SUBJ : REUT-RS Rcort R STARTLING INFORMATION ON KENNEDY ASSAS s[NATIOn 1 ' 30th CHIEF AND DEPUTY CHIEF STATE SECURITY ADMINIS = TRATION 44 VE INDEPENDENTL Y INFOPMED CAS THAT UNIDENT[F IED ARAR CJUTRY POSSESSING INFCrMATION OF INTEREST To FBI IS NOT RPT Not LIBYA . IN Adc [TION, ActING COMMAND ING GENERAL TRIPOL ITANIAN SECURIT FORCES MADE NO MENTION ThIs TopIC DURING INTERVIEw MORNING JUNE 15 . 2 & To DATE, REUTERS STORY HAS NOT RPT NOT APPEARED IN TRIPOL [ PRESS . GP - 4 . NEWSDM F+BE L ~tPARIMEN OF 1 [ 1 STATES Hy J h~~tv, ================================================== Page 34 ================================================== OARGfnACTION DEP ARTMENT OF STATE Pol 6 us]KenNEDY Rm/ R AE-5 REP AF AJRG RAM RoBERt F . 22 3Penzz y_6LAL 8 FOR RM USE ONLY ARA EUR FE 4-320 IICLASSTFTED NEA CU INR No HANDLING INDICA ToR To Department Of State ScEiVE) 10 2 INFO Amenbassy , PARIS FBO AID Amembassy , BATHURST Jw'|u Y _= Sfcee AGR com FRB FROM American Embassy , Dakar DATE: June 15, INT LAB TAR SUBJECT Reactions to Senator Robert F. Kennedy' 's Death in Senegal TR XMB AIR REF ARMY Ci A NA VY 20 The Senegalese were deeply shocked by the assassination of Senator Robert OSd USIA NSA Kennedy The Kennedy name has been a household to many Senegalese , and / 0 3 ever since President Kennedy's death the Senegalese have followed closely the activities of the rest of the family_ Press coverage on Senator Kennedy' s assassination was sympathetic accurate and friendly. Dakar-Matin, Senegal S only daily newspaper covered all aspects of the assassination and funeral in detail Radio Senegal together an extremely moving half hour program on the life of Robert Kennedy which was repeated a nuber of times _ Reports from French radio correspondents in the United States were also used extensively On Radio Senegal _ President Senghor sent three messages : first to Mrs Kennedy while the Senator was still living and then again to her and President Johnson after news was received of his death _ (Copies attached) So far 285 people have come to sign the book in the Enbassy although many signed for their families schools and professional organizations These 2 have included Senegalese from all walks of life members of the Diplomatic Corps and a great many Frenchmen resident in Dakar Curiously enough many of the French have taken this opportunity to tell uS how they still 1 consider themselves to be close friends of the United States and how much 4 affection there is in France for the Kennedy family _ The radio quoted several times what Senator Kennedy had said last year after a visit to General de Gaulle: that peace was not possible in Vietnam without the cooperation of France _ A memorial service was conducted Saturday _ 2 June 9th , at the Eglise du Sacre Coeur in Dakar This was conducted in French by the Vicar General , as the archbishop was unable to be present himself The Papal Nuncio , UNCLASSIFIED FQR DEPT. USE ONLY FORM 4 62 DS-3277 In Out Drafted by Contents aod a- fion Hpproved by: DCM:AWLukelis asr 6/12/68 AM rown Clearances: Rsk} 1968 word great put ================================================== Page 35 ================================================== UCLASSTFTED Hakav A -320 -2- Monsignor Mariani_ celebrated the requiem mass The eulogy delivered by Pere Courier was most impressive expressed the ideals for which the Kenre dy brothers had stood The service was attended by several hundred people Senegalese ) French and Diplomatic Corps On Sunday , June 1Oth, an English-speaking service was held in the French Protestant Church conducted by the Bishop of The Gambia and the Rio Pongas The Rt Reverend T.0, Olufosoye This was attended by a number of English-speaking Africans many diplomats _ including the Dean of the Corps French Ambassador Lagarde_ and most of the American colony 9 including a large number Of Peace Corps volunteers Ambassador Kwesi Brew Of Ghana read the lesson and Ambassador Brown read President Johnson 's proclamation Attached are S Ome of the more moving comments written in the Embassy' s book, as well as excerpts from sOme of the letters received by the Ambassador BROWN UNCLASSIFTED and ================================================== Page 36 ================================================== Enclosure UNCLASSIFIED Desp . Dakar A-320 Telegrams_ from President_Leopold Senghor to Mrs Robert Kennedy before and after the death of Senator Kennedy translation fro French "In the cruel blow which has struck your whole family, I would " ask you to accept the expression of all my sympathy _ * x * * * X " I have just heard that Senator Kennedy is no more Your sorrow is our sorrow , because Robert Kennedy alvays defended the liberty &nd dignity of the Blacks The Senegalese people and their Government join me in sending our deepest sympathy Telegram from President Senghor to President Johnson "The tragedy that has once more the United States in mourning with the horrible outrage comitted upon Robert Kennedy hes dismayed al1 Senegalese . In these sad circumstances I send you expression of 1 our emotion and our sympathies_ Highest regara_ Telegram from Alphone N 'Diaye Governor of Thies to Ambassador Brown "Having learned with consternation of the cruel loss afflicting your country and the entire world in the loss of Senator Kennedy R,' the Region of Thies joins me in presenting our deepest sympathy _ Sikhe Camara Ambassador Of Guinea 11 Senator Kennedy was a great man because of his family, his personality and the outstanding social and political action he m1 led 80 rapidly and generously in favor of the entire American nation _ French Anbassador Jean Vyau de la Garde "Mr Ambassador and dear colleague _ I cannot tell you how sorry I a Of the passing away of Senator Robert Kennedy _ The monstrosity and the stupidity of this marder have everyone flabbergasted _ It is a great loss not only for the United States , but for the world for need men like the Kennedys As a friend of your country, let me tell yOu all my sympathy . " Letter from Ambassador of the U.ALR.x Yehia_Hassan (This is first comunication from U,A.R= Embassy Since the break in relations One year ago) "It is with the greatest grief that I learned the tragic news Of the death Of Senator Robert Kennedy a8 a result of the hateful attack of which he was the victim_ May I pres to in my name as well in the names of al1 my colleagues at the Embassy our sincerest syupathy." put deep we ent you ================================================== Page 37 ================================================== Enclosure UNCLASSIFTED Desp . Dakar A-32 -2- Henri Gallenca President Of the Chamber Of Commerce of Dakar These two illustrious leaders (John and Robert Kennedy) by their sacrifice for the ideals which uphela _ honor the virtues of the nation to which they belonged and Of which they represented the most noble qualities May their sacrifice not have been in vain and may it contribute to the necessary reconciliation I1 across your great country and throughout the world Jhonny Seck President of the John F_ Kennedy Club "The President and members of the John F_ Kennedy Cultural Club pay their final respects to a valiant champion of' Peace _ With our 11 sincere wishes Of condolence Vladimir Stanimirovic Yugoslav Embassy "The death of Robert Kennedy is a great misfortune not for "1 the American people 2 but also for the entire world . Hs N 'Diaye Air France "Robert F Kennedy was the very symbol of courage in politics. - Jean Masseron Inspector General at the Presidency 01 "Your grief is als0 ours H Thiandoum Archbishop of Dakar "In pain and sadness we are one with the American people in asking God to accept the sacrifice Of the noble Senator R.F Kennedy . Ibrahima_Sylla student "Robert Kennedy , who died defending peace in Vietnam, racial equality in his Own country , and happiness for all men , was the very M1 incarnation of 2oth century man Pinto-Bull President of_ILIG_(Portuguese Guinea_refugee_organization) "FLIG was deeply grieved by the cowardly and tragic assassination of Robert Kennedy , a man who had captured the admiration of the whole 0 world UNCLASSIFIED they only ================================================== Page 38 ================================================== Enclosure UNCLASSIFTED Dakar 4-320 -3- Ismaila Camara postal_worker "The whole world 4 especially Africans are grieved at the "i death of this great apostle of liberty and brotherhood _ Ibrahima Ly, student the Lord keep hin and his brother John together in Paradise _ 6I UCLASSIFIED Desp = "May ================================================== Page 39 ================================================== 2 2 8 ================================================== Page 40 ================================================== Actiom DEP ARTMENT OF STATE Evr_6 po 1 6 u5 ]tennee} Rw R REP AF AIRGRAM Fogert 20 FOR RM USE ONLY ARA EUR FE 4-723 LIMITED OFFIC IAL USE NEA CU INR No. HanDLinG indicator To Department of {t,ti I0 2 5 INFO IISBON, IONDON, RARIS 35 PH Yus:: Fbo AID 5j5 # Yp Fcrr {ACH AGR com FRB FROM Amembassy MADRID DATE: 15,1968 InT LAB TAR SUBJECT Spanish Opposition Leaders Sponsor Tr Memorial Mass XMB Air REF ARMY Cia NAvY 3 20 035 US1A NSA Following the model they established after the assassination 34 of President Kennedy, leaders of the Spanish democratic 12 3 opposition joined together to arrange a memorial mass on Wrc June 12 for the repose of the souls of John F Kennedy Martin Luther King, and Robert F Kennedy_ Without identi- fying thenselves by name they placed paid advertisements JS in three Madrid dailies inviting Spaniards who shared the ideals for which the three men gave their lives to join them at the parish 0f the Sacred Hearts (1os Sagrados Corazones , near the Bernabeu Stadium) for the funeral mass , The liberal monarchist Joaquin SATRUSTEGUI personally invited the Embassy to send representatives Five Embassy officers (Administrative Counselor, acting Chief of the Political Section_ 2 Labor Attache a political officer and the Student Affairs Officer in the Cultural Section) were 2 placed by Satrustegui in the front pews of the Church Embassy officers were seated on either side of the senior Spanish participant , Christian Democratic leader Jose Maria 8 GIL ROBLES _ 4 An estimated 1500 persons attended the Mass, but a certain number seemed to have come for the Mass regularly said at the church at that hour The church porch and the rear of the church were patrolled by a half-dozen Armed Police in uniform; a station wagon with two officers in civilian clothes and a uniformed driver was parked in front of the church; and the Embassy learned that reinforcements were present behind the Church None of them was needed _ LIMITED OFFICTAL USE EQR DEPI_USE ONLX Form 62 DS - 323 Ia Our Drazted by: Comcato Ood ucotop POL:FRStarrsiclt:6/14/68 Charge Tareri Clearaoces: stateRFCFIVED June IC L€ ================================================== Page 41 ================================================== BU; M CF EUROPF Wffairs COMMUWIC . CENTER 13}.IUN 19 AH? DEFARTNEK[ OF STATE !I 01 ================================================== Page 42 ================================================== Page ~2- LIMITED OFFICIAL USE Madrid They did not interfere in any way with the greetings and con- versation that went on before and after the ceremony . The celebrant said pointedly &t the beginning of his sermon that the ceremony had no political purpose He referred to the concern that the Kennedy brothers and King had shown for political, racial and social equali- for reducing the gap between the privileged and the unprivileged, and for advancing peace and understanding in the U.S and between nations . ABC and Ya carried articles on June 13 describing the ceremony and listing those present in places of honor El Alcazar lished a photograph with caption showing Gil Robles and The Embassy representatives = Those familiar with the Spanish opposition will see that a good cross-section of the Spanish opposition wa S present . A partial list follows : Joaquin SATRUSTEGUI Jose Maria GIL ROBLES and his son Alvaro Jose Maria AREILZA 9 Conde de MOTRICO Professors Enrique TIERNO GALVAN, Carlos OLLERO Leonardo PRIETO Castro, Jesus PRADOS Arrarte, Jose Luis L ARANGUREN , and Antonio TRUYOL Juan BECERRIL; Magistrate of the Supreme Court Luis Maria ANSON Jaime CORTEZO Pablo MARTI Zaro Vicente PINIES (brother of Spain 8 Charge at the UN) Pedro ALTARES Carlos BRU Fernando ALVAREZ de Miranda Jesus BARROS DE LIS Gaspar Raul MORODO WALKER LIMITED OFFICTAL USE A-723 tya pub- ================================================== Page 43 ================================================== QAIGIN/ Action (EQ DEP ARTMENT OF STATE pol 6 uf] kenieby; Rm R REP 'Eky AF AIRGRAM Ro fERT F FOR RM USE ONLY ARA EuR FE 4-724 UNCLASS TFTED NEA CU INR No. HANDLING INDICATor To Department of State RECEUVEDEXFE P i0 FbO AID Jun 1Alu2 AX As8 S}m Fizpri Ganch J0 AcR com FRB FROM Amembassy MADRID DATE: June 15, 1968 int LAB TAR SUBJECT Spanish Reaction to Kennedy AssassInation TR XmB AiR REF ARmY CiA NAVY 0ID Usia NSA Ordinary Spaniards reacted with shocked disbelief and genuine grlef to the as8assination of Robert Kennedy _ C Young people, students and lower class Spaniards seemed especially concerned Many, helped along by the story treatment of local radio, television, and newspapers , generally ldentifled the killing of the Senator with that of his brother and Martin Luther Kings creating a merged image of the forces for constructive change 2 in the U.S_ being violently eliminated. A belief In conspiracy was evident in conversations with al1 Span - iards from the most sophisticated to the most humble 1 Shortly after Robert Kennedy's death had been conf irmed 4 on June 6, the Charge saw the large nuber of reporters and photographers who had gathered at the Chancery and read to them a statement stressing the sorrow of this 1 mission and our determination to carry on the Ldeals Of JS Robert Kennedy (enclosed) Spaniards flowed Into the Embassy beginning at noon on X U June 6 to sign the book of condolence At this WrIt_ over 6,200 signatures have been piaced in the books and over 2,200 pleces of correspondence, including calling card8, telegrams_ 9 and letters, have been received by the Embassy _ Al1 four consulates report corresponding In- terest and a large volume of signature8 and mall Masses have been celebrated throughout Spain for the repose of Robert Kennedy'8 soul and gomet imes prayers Enclosure : Statement to_ UNCLASS IFIED FQB QEEI_USE ONX ForM 323 Our 62 Press. DDrafted by: POL:HEBergo1d:8 jc:6/14/68 Conco"cHAREEHWa}ie; Clearances: US IS : HEShetterly POL:FRatarrs ing DS - ================================================== Page 44 ================================================== QF 3 18 AM I| !9 6769 OF DE BUR ! AU 4FFAIRS EUROPF CENTER COMMUNIC . JUN STATE PARTMENT ================================================== Page 45 ================================================== UNCLASSIFIEQ Medrid A-724 Page 2 were Included for the s ouls of President Kennedy and Martin Luther King _ The Embassy worked With the Jesult Fathers at the Church of Saint Franc1s Borgia, across the street from the Chancery, to arrange a requiem mas8 celebrated by the Papal Nunc1o (Monsignor Luigi Dadaglio) . The Mass , celebrated at noon on June 8, was attended by over 2,000 persons The Ghezge attended as the off1clal U,8 representative and the Under Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affalrs (Ramon SEDO) a8 the representative of the Government of Spain. On the official side, the Spanish Government wa8 prompt In it8 expression of condolence By noon on June 5, the mission had two Important telephone calls, one from the Director General of American and Far East Affairs at the MFA Nuio Aguirre de Carcer) to the , Charge and the other from the Chief of the High General Staff (Captain General Agustin Muioz Grandes ) to Chief JUSMAG , both expressing concern over the shooting and hopes for recovery . On the following after the Senator had dled, Franc0 8ent megsgages to the Pres_ ident and Mrs Kennedy; Foreign Minister Cabtiella sent a message to Mrs _ Kennedy _ At five Pam on June 6, Aguirre de Carcer called on the Charge a8 repregentative of the Fore1gn Minigter to expre88g the Minlsterts condolences Vice Pres_dent Luls Cerrero Blanco by hand-written note) and flve CabInet Minleter8 bent written mesgages to the Charge_ Diploma - tic colleagues at a11 levels wrote, called, and telephoned wIth the French Embassy being notably prompt and nuerou8 in 1ts ex- pre881ong of condolence . Appearing In the morning prese of June 6 was a statement by the Information Minlster (Manuel FRAGA Iribarne) whch tended to set the tone for coverage ` by the regime-oriented press correct expressions of sadness coupled with a view of the act a8 justi- fication for more authoritarian forms of government read Franco Spain) than are permitted In a democracy Fraga '8 statement gaid: IThls occ urrence is a clear demonstration that peace and llberty can only be maintained in authentic form when law and the princ Iple of authority construct a style of citizenship In whlch the u8e of violence in_political contests does not fit for this reason we should value as the highest obligation of politlcs, the maintenance of order w A cons_derable number of Spanish contacts commented In unfavorable termg about the nbad taste" Fraga showed in 80 openly usIng the Kennedy assa881- nation as a Justification for rigid authoritarianism. In the days following June 6, the Madrid press tended to divide on the responsibility of the American democratic system for the death of Robert Kennedy Strident voices from the Movinlento press Diario SP, Pueblo and to a lesser extent Arriba IndTcted- the U.S . Institutions Which could not eliminate the recourse to violence , The Opus Dez press (Nuevo Diario and Alcazar) stoutly WCLASS IFTE) day = ================================================== Page 46 ================================================== UNCLASSIFIED Madrid A-724 Page 3 defended democracy in the U,S. : "A that can resolve political succession In a helf hour Reephedy to Johngon) that can maintain under civilian control the greatestomiiitary power In history, that in the midst of war can tolerate Inter- nal dissent even to the point where that dissent creates policy changes , a people, in su, which can produce men like the Kennedys merits a vote of confidence" Alcazars June 6) _ Flgures from the opposition quickly sought to identify them- selves warmly and sympathetically With thelr Embassy contacts in the tragic day8 following June 5 _ Monarchist8 , Christ ian Democrats, and Socialists were in evidence signing the condo- lence book, giving oral expre8sions of their sorrow and concern to the Embassy officers on duty at the book, and in attendance at the Mass on June 8 _ On June 12, this group sponsored a Mass of It8 Own for the repose of the soul of Robert Kennedy which several Embassy officers attended separate report ) Spanlards followed the sad events of June 5 through June 8 over radio and television. Government operated Spanish tele- vLsion TVE) had a sympathetic interview program on June 6 featuring government leaders including Agulrre de Carcer who reminlsced about occasions on which he had talked WIth Robert Kennedy when Aguirre was Minlster Counsellor at the Spanish Em- bassy in Washington_ TVE als0 carried live portions of the Mass at St_ Patricks In the afternoon of June 8 and gave live coverage to the funeral proces8ion through Washington and burlal at Ar- lington (12.30 a.m, 4:00 a.m. June 9 Madrid time) _ English-speakIng Spanlards with FM equipment, followed Armed Force8 Rad1o, which stayed with the story als0 unt1l 4:00 a.m, June 9 and provided the aud1o portion of U.S network television coverage They could a11 Join With ABC 's B1ll Downs at the grave-8ite who tearfully closed: MThis is the second time in four and a half years we have had to do this job, and I hope I never have to do it again . m1 WALKER UNCLASS IFIED ================================================== Page 47 ================================================== Eucl A72Y Juc-AL Et k STATEAENT BY CHARGE MILLIAH w_ WALKER , On OCCASION OP SENATOR ROBERI P KENNEDY 'S DEATH . MADRID , JONE 6 1968 _ We of the United States Mission to Spain share the depths of grief that are beyond words A sengele8g act has taken Senator Kennedy from us in the full flower of his vigor _ Irrational violence has ended the labors of a man whose life was given to peace, a nan of good will whoge whole career was devoted to the cauge of his fellow human beings Already condolences in our sorrow have begun to arrive from the people of Spain, high and low who share with all the worla our irreaplaceable loss _ To all of you, we are most pro foundly grateful_ Bowed as we are with gr ie?, it i9 the task of the living to carry on, to keep bright the ideals which Senator Kennedy 80 nobly advanced , to carry on the work which he can nO longer shoulder, to advance the human condition in nis name and of men of will everywhere Books for those who wish to express their sentiments are available at the Embassy , Serrano 75 , and the Casa Ameri,`ana, Castellana 87 A memorial service is being planned , and details will be announfed _ All public and social events involving the Embassy or individual offickal Americans have been cancelled until Eurther notlce We arc: 'sending a message to the family of Senator Kennedy on behalf of all of us in tnis hour of tragedy _ 6/1 /1> gooa ================================================== Page 48 ================================================== Action DEP ARTMENT OF ST ATE PoL 6 us/keneoy R8eer R AES REP AF AIRG RAM xe Pbz 1 uS 20 FOR RM USE ONLY A RA EUR FE A-119 LIMITED OFF IC IAL USE N EA CU INR No HANDLING INOICA ToR Department Of State To 10 2 5 INFO F; FbO AID :11 78 0 Fm A GR cOM FRB FROM Amembassy NIAMEY DATE: June 15, 1968 IN T LA B TAR SUBJECT Public Statements on Senator Kennedy' s Assassination T R XMB AIR NL WC REF Niamey 1746 and 1790 A RMY CiA NA VY ~3 30 JOINT EMBASSY/USIS MSSAGE 050 Usi A NSA 3+ L0 Embtels 1746 and 1790 reported on Nigerien reaction to the assassination 1SC of Senator Robert Kennedy. Enclosed are the full texts, with English translati of the two public statements made regarding this assassination, i,e.9 the declaratins Of President Diori Hamani and National Assembly President Boubou Hama broadcast On Radio Niger on June 6, We consider unfortunate the implication which both these declarations contain of criticism of the American political system. This implication was inherent in the references to "political assassination" and to "polit- ical adversary. M President Diori subsequently made clear to Ambassador Ryan that he had intended this term to relate to a far broader context than that of the American tical party systema 1 A third public reference to the assassination was contained in Foreign Secretary Sidikou' s reply, also broadcast over Radio Niger, to Ambassador ) Ryan' s speech on June 12 upon the occasion of the laying of the corner_ stone of the new American Embassy office building at Yantalla overlooking the Niger River on the outskirts of Niamey. Sidikou departed fEro his Prepared text to make the following reference, "It would be impossible for me to enuerate here, even briefly, all 0f the joint [Nigerien-American projects which have been worked out and implemented or which are in process 0f being im- Plemented. I will nonetheless point out the future bridge across Enclosures: (1) President Diori" s Speech (French) , (2) Translation of President Diori S Speech, (3) President Boubou Hama' $ Speech (French) , Translation of President Boubou Hama Speech, LIMITED OFF ICIAL USE FOR DEPT USE ONLY FORM 4 - 62 DS-323 In Out TJrafted by: Contents and Cassificacian DCM DBE aswA 6/4/68 Anbassad FRdbe 'PpovedKyan Clearances: USIS:MMilroy substance) GEEED RM RJkee 4 key ons, Poli L{4) 's or ================================================== Page 49 ================================================== Ni A-119 LIMITED OFFICIAL USE 2, the Niger River, the Kennedy Bridge, a name which alas will be doubly but cruelly dear to us as a result of unforeseeable events this name ch, as President Johnson said [sr hence_ forth linked to the history of America by a Pact of blood and sacrifice obligating every thoughtful man to go back down the course 0f history as he recalls the implacable destiny Of ancient Greek tragedy heroes' It RYAN LIMITED OFF IC IAL USE amey whic ================================================== Page 50 ================================================== Niamey A-119 UNCLASSIFIED Enclosure 1 Declaration of President Diori Hamani on Niger_Radio_ on June 6, 1968 Je dois exprimer mon indigation devant cette methode lache de suppression d'un adversaire,politique. Ici dans le cadre du Niger comme nous 1'avons reaffirme dans OUA et 1'OCAM, nous condamnons tou- jours 1'assassinat come moyen a arriver a des fins politiques. Il est vraiment dommage qu'apres son frere John Kennedy que ce soit encore Robert soit frappe Par des inconscients_ Car ces pauvres types S imaginent qu'en tuant un homme on tue ue idee: Liidee lancee par les Kennedy vers la reconciliation nationale aux Etats-Unis 1'egalite et la justice, cette idee fera son chemin contre vents et marees et je salue toute la famille eprouve L c'est la raison pour laquelle au nom du Gouvernement un telegramme a ete envoye a la Famille Kennedy et au President des Etats_Unis a' Amerique. UNCLASSIFIED qui

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