Reaction To News

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32265, 7 April 1970, Page 15

Reaction To News

(N.Z. P. A.-Reuter —Copyright) BUENOS AIRES, April 6. The West German Ambassador to Argentina, Mr Luitpold Werez, said to-day that he was “completely shattered” by the death of Count Karl Von Spreti. “I had known him for years and as a friend. I am totally

and completely shattered. My God, what a thing to happen.’’ “At this point I am unable to say anything more,” he said from his home.

Mr Werez took up his post last November.

In Guatemala City itself when the news broke, crowds started gathering outside the embassy. While West German Embassy officials refused immediate comment, one Guatemalan official said: “My God, what has happened. This canhot be true. The world must think us savages now.” In London, a British Foreign Office spokesman said, “We are profoundly shocked by the terrible news. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and to the West German Government” In Bonn, news of the murder was received in stunned horror today. The Foreign Minister (Mr Walter Scheel) put in a Call to El Paso, Texas, to consult Chancellor Willy Brandt as soon as the killing of the 62-year-old diplomat was confirmed by the Bonn Embassy in Guatemala.

The plight of the Ambassador had been front-page news in West Germany for days, and newspapers angrily pressed for swift action by the Guatemalan authorities to secure his release.

There is strong resentment that Guatemalan authorities rejected the kidnappers’ terms for Count Von Spreti’s release.