Governor G. M. Williams Stresses Senator Kennedy's Policies (09/24/60)

Governor G. M. Williams Stresses Senator Kennedy's Policies

NEW YORK, N.Y. Sept. 10. - "Under Senator Kennedy's leadership, the American people will regain their sense of national purpose and will ones again take first place in the world: As our candidate, Sen. John F. Kennedy says, 'not first if, not first when, not first probably, but first period,'" stated governor G. Mennen Williams at a meeting of nationality leaders in New York a few days ago.

Concern for Captive Nations

"Senator Kennedy will not only extend the hand of friendship and understanding to the captive nations but will also challenge the Russians to keep their commitments of self-determination. It is high time that the Soviet Union stop shedding crocodile tears for the freedom of subjugated peoples and start caring for the freedom-loving people behind the Iron Curtain. The UN agenda is an appropriate place to discuss this question of freedom, and it should be a permanent feature until justice is done," said Gov. Williams.

The Chairman of the Democratic Party's Nationalities Division went on to say, "Negotiation for self-determination will prosper as America is strong military, economically, and spiritually. Senator Kennedy will lead America to that strength.

"Senator Kennedy's whole record in the Congress is to build America's military strength to be adequate to meet its commitments to freedom. As President he will see that this is done. Our arms will not be used for sabre-rattling but for peace and justice.

"Senator Kennedy has made it clear that our purpose is as Winston Churchill said, 'We arm to parley.' We want peace. But we want justice, too.

"Berlin is a symbol of freedom and justice above and beyond its meaning to Germany. It is the far bastion of freedom of the Western world and the beacon of hope to all the countries behind the Iron Curtain. Their hopes rise and fall with the fortunes of Berlin. If Berlin is lost the dark night of Soviet integration sweeps through Central Europe, and the light of hope goes out in half a continent.

"Senator Kennedy put it forcefully when he said, 'For us to think that what the central struggle is about is just Berlin would be a great mistake. They're fighting for New York and Paris when they struggle over Berlin. Therefore I think we have to make it cold - and mean it - that we would fight.'

"With Kennedy as president we are in Berlin positively to maintain freedom. What's more Kennedy would like to see a free corridor. He has said. 'I do think it may be possible for us to reach a modus vivendi with them, particularly if they feel that any real attack on our position in Berlin would bring war.' In other words, let's talk about out mutual rights but will talk from a position of strength.

"Kennedy has said that he does not accept the status quo of Central and Eastern Europe, and the Democratic Platform says, 'We shall never accept any deal or arrangement which acquiesces in the present subjugation of these peoples.'

"It is through the logic of strength and truth that Sen. Kennedy will speak to the Communists about the rights of those behind Iron Curtain.

"Military Strength, of course, is not the only kind of strength. We must push research and education, for example, Sen. Kennedy has fought for more research and for federal aid to schools and teachers. And he has stressed the teaching of foreign languages, without which we cannot live in this modern world.

"Then too we must have a growth economy in order to fulfill all our commitments and provide a prosperous America with full employment," ended Governor Williams.

The Ukrainian group was represented at the meeting by Stephen J. Jarema, chairman of the Ukrainian Division, Walter Steck, Walter Dushnyk - all of New York and Peter Barna of Clifton, N.J.

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