‘lnnocent Victim Of Internal Strife’

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

‘lnnocent Victim Of Internal Strife’

(N.Z.P.A.-Reutef—CopyrlghtJ EL PASO (Texas), April 6. The West German Chancellor (Mr Willy Brandt) tonight called the slaying of the German Ambassador in Guatemala “an infamous murder” which concerned the whole civilised world. He added in a statement: “An intolerable burden is placed on co-operation among countries if it is not possible to stop terrorist actions.”

Chancellor Brandt learned of the killing as he dined with the German commander of the training base in El Paso. He returned immediately to his residence on the base.

The statement said: “It was with a sense of shock that I received the news of the infamous murder of our Ambassador in Guatemala, Count Spreti. “I share the grief of his family for a man whom I personally had highly esteemed and who had served his country both as a member of the German Parliament and as ambassador in several posts. “Ambassador Spreti became the innocent victim of internal strife in Guatemala “Unable To Control”

“The forms of this internal strife over which the Government of Guatemala is unable to gain control have now culminated in the crime committed against the German Ambassador. “Since the abduction of the ambassador the Federal Government has tried by all means available to it to Achieve his release. "It was only on Sunday

morning that I sent a personal message to the President of Guatemala in which I appealed to him that he may see to it that his Government exploit all possibilities to save the life of the German Ambassador. “The Federal Government was also ready to take into consideration financial demands made by those who had abducted the ambassador. “Unfortunately all these efforts in which other personalities, particularly the Apostolic Nuncio, had taken part have been in vain. Repeated Appeals “The terrorists have not complied with repeated appeals for humanitarianism but have committed the crime they threatened to commit. “The Government of Guatemala has been unable to grant the necessary protection to diplomatic representatives accredited to it. “This raises a problem which concerns the whole civilised world. An intolerable burden is placed on co-opera-tion among countries if it is not possible to stop terrorist action. “On Monday morning the Federal Government will discuss and comment on this ©vent. “The Federal Republic of

Germany will honour the memory of the ambassador.” While aides issued the statement to the press, the Chancellor sat at his desk looking deeply distressed. Programme In Doubt The news threw the rest of the Chancellor’s programme into doubt, including the formal part of his week-long United States visit which had been due to start with talks with President Nixon on Friday.