President Johnson’s appointment of Arthur J. Goldberg, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, as successor to the late Adlai E. Stevenson as head of the American delegation to the United Nations was hailed widely here today–except by the Russians, who were saying nothing, and the Arabs, who showed furious anger but saved any comments they might have for the future.
Mr. Johnson’s surprise selection of Justice Goldberg to the post just vacated by Mr. Stevenson, who was almost universally regarded as the most outstanding personage ever to hold the U.S. Ambassadorship here, was interpreted immediately by the vast majority of diplomats as a move showing that President Johnson has vast respect for the United Nations and confidence in its viability.
“Mr. Johnson,” said one high ranking diplomat, “has now shown that the United Nations really means a great deal to him and his Government. He has reached almost as high up in the American Government as he could to select his Ambassador. He has chosen a man of known brilliance and sharpness of perception. Furthermore, in these days, when so much must be done to effect a genuine consensus inside the United Nations, Mr. Johnson picked a man known for his ability at mediation, his skill as a negotiator. There is no doubt that Justice Goldberg will be a great successor to a great man, to Mr. Stevenson.”
Justice Goldberg’s self-identification as an active Jew was not overlooked here. He is an honorary vice-president of the American Jewish Committee; honorary chairman of the Jewish Center for the United Nations, a synagogue to be built in this area, near similar Protestant and Catholic churches devoted to U.N. principles; and a man in whose honor a special library has been created at this Center under the title of “Judaism and Peace.”
In an address last spring before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Justice Goldberg declared “I am a Zionist” and outlined his philosophy of deep identification with Israel.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
