Aj Committee Informed Austria Does Not Intend Closing Wiesenthal’s Documentation Center

The office of Chancellor Bruno Kreisky of Austria has advised the American Jewish Committee that the closing of Simon Wiesenthal’s Documentation Center on Jewish Victims “is not impending or intended as long as Mr. Wiesenthal’s activities remain within the scope of Austrian law.” Dr. Ingo Mussi. representing the vacationing Dr. Kreisky, replied to a letter from AJ Committee president Philip E. Hoffman, who had written to the Chancellor last week “to inquire about the status” of the center. “Since this organization,” Mr. Hoffman wrote, referring to the AJ Committee, “has enjoyed a fruitful relationship with Mr. Wiesenthal, and we have also admired the assistance that post-war Austrian regimes have given to the center’s work, we are most anxious to clarify this issue.” Mr. Wiesenthal has charged the Austrian government with threatening to close his center, and has singled out Socialist Party secretary Leopold Gratz for having allegedly called the center a “secret agent” operation. Dr. Mussi stated: “There is absolutely no truth to these rumors. Nobody in any official capacity and certainly no member of the Austrian Federal Government has demanded the closing of the center and no legal steps are intended as long as the center’s activities remain within the scope of Austrian law.” The Austrian spokesman added that Minister Gratz has “repudiated” Mr. Wiesenthal’s “unjust” attacks on him and other government officials. Mr. Wiesenthal has charged that “five of the 11 Austrian Ministers had a Nazi past.” This “criticism” of Mr. Wiesenthal “falls well within the scope of the democratic freedom of opinion,” Dr. Mussi wrote.

Sen. Charles E. Goodell, Republican of New York, wrote to Mr. Wiesenthal yesterday to voice his “great concern over the intended plans to close the historic Jewish Documentation Center in Austria.” He said he would be “pleased to render any assistance I can. not only as a United States Senator, but as a human being who shares your sentiments and admires your steadfast determination to save the interests of free men everywhere.” New York’s other Republican Senator, Jacob K. Javits, said in a letter to Harry Evans of New York City that while he had no authority to act in the matter, he had written to the State Department “for comment and a report.” Fifty-five persons held a “silent witness” rally yesterday afternoon outside the Austrian Mission here. A concentration camp survivor donned the striped uniform he had worn at Dachau.