S. American Leaders Protest Killings

Argentine, Uruguayan and Brazilian leaders today joined in the world protest against the tragic killings in Munich. Argentine President General Alejandro Agustin Lanusse expressed the “consternation and indignation of the Argentine people and government due to the assassination.” He stated that the leaders of the world must “take clear conscience of the dangerous consequences that terrorist escalation causes to the international community.”

The DAIA asked all Jews to close their businesses this afternoon as a sign of mourning. The organization also sent a message to UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim stating that it is the United Nations’ duty to “take full responsibility in order to insure respect for life and human rights.”

Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mario Gibson Barboza condemned the Munich slaughter as a terrorist act “unworthy of the patterns of our civilization.” In a sign of mourning, Jewish shops in Rio as in other cities of the country, were closed. In Caracas Jewish-owned stores in the business district were all closed this afternoon as a sign of mourning. At the same time, several hundred marchers gathered in front of the Venezuelan Congress in a silent demonstration of anger and protest.

Among those attending a mass memorial ceremony at Caracas’ main synagogue this evening were Msgr. Luis Eduardo Henriquez, auxiliary bishop of Caracas and Francisco Hernandez, editor of the Catholic church newspaper. Earlier in the day Dr. Aristides Calvani, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister, condemned the terrorist attack in the name of the government. Messages of condolence have also arrived in Israel from the Presidents of Haiti, Panama, Mexico, El Salvador and the Secretary General of the Organization of American States