U.S. and European Mayors Condemn Terrorist Attack in Jerusalem

Twenty American and European mayors meeting here for the fifth annual Jerusalem Conference of Mayors, issued a statement yesterday condemning the “vicious terrorist attack” in Jerusalem Monday in which 48 people were wounded. The statement was announced by Theodore Mann, president of the American Jewish Congress, a sponsor of the trip along with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies.

The statement, which was drafted by Mayor Harvey Sloone of Louisville, Ky., leader of the American delegation, and Mayor Thomas Wagner of Zurich, Switzerland, said:

“As more than 20 American and European mayors met in peace to discuss the resolution of common problems of urban life, a vicious terrorist attack one-half mile from our meeting site outraged and dismayed us. We express our sympathy to our host, Teddy Kollek, and the people of the United City of Jerusalem, for this unconscionable and barbaric action against innocent civilians, many of whom were tourists. The PLO group or groups responsible should receive worldwide condemnation. They are criminals, not freedom fighters. This criminal act only increases our support for Israel and its people.”

The statement was adopted by II American mayors and the mayors of Zurich, Switzerland, six West German cities, and Famagusta, Cyprus.

The American mayors who signed the statement were: Bob Bolen, Fort Worth, Texas; Andy Coates, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Joseph Frankel, Eatontown, NJ; County Executive Charles Gilchrist, Montgomery County, Md.; Bob Martinez, Tampa, Fla.; Thirman Milner, Hartford, Conn.; Carmen Orechio, Nutley, NJ; Roger Parent, South Bend, Ind.; Stephen Reed, Harrisburg, Pa.; Pat Screen, Baton Rouge,, La.; and Harvey Sloane, Louisville, Ky.