The Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) has protested to Secretary of State for External Affairs Joe Clark about the participation of Canadian diplomats in recent receptions of Canadian diplomats in recent receptions for Austrian President Kurt Waldheim held in the Vatican and Jordan.
Dorothy Reitman, CIC president, charged in a letter Monday to Clark that despite the Canadian government’s position that Waldheim is not welcome in Canada, Canadian diplomatic representatives in Jordan and the Vatican “were present at functions in honor of the Austrian President.”
“May we have your assurance that Canadian diplomatic representatives will not be present at functions attended by Waldheim,” Reitman wrote, adding: “We believe this would be consistent with your government-stated policy. Canada must reiterate clearly and publicly that Waldheim’s past is repugnant to all Canadians.”
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
