Cablegate: Death of Simon Wiesenthal
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS VIENNA 003117
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/OHI AND EUR/AGS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNAR PHUM PGOV PREL IS AU
SUBJECT: Death of Simon Wiesenthal
1. Simon Wiesenthal died of general organ failure on
September 20 in Vienna at the age of 96. The Austrian
political leadership, from Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel
to all parliamentary party leaders, expressed their deep
regret, praising Wiesenthal as a key figure in the fight
to keep remembrance of the Holocaust alive. In public
comments, Chancellor Schuessel noted that the theme of
Wiesenthal's life was justice, not revenge. Social
Democrat Party chairman Alfred Gusenbauer stressed the
need to preserve Wiesenthal's heritage for all future
generations. Wiesenthal was an honorary citizen of
Vienna and the recipient of many Austrian decorations.
2. There will be a ceremony September 21 at 3 p.m. at
Vienna's Central Ceremony. Wiesenthal's remains will
then go to Israel, where the funeral and burial will take
place on September 23.
BROWN