The Southern Israelite. (Augusta, Ga.) 1925-1986, July 06, 1979, Image 1
Crowd stones Neo-Nazis An unidentified member of the White Power Party (WPP) blocks a stone thrown from an angry crowd of 250 persons that gathered to protest a rally of the Neo-Nazis in Parma, Ohio, on June 24. Strauss relates U.S. position to Israelis i by Gil Sedan JERUSALEM (JTA)—Presi- denjjCarter's special envoy Robert Strauss made clear to Israeli leaders at a series of meetings this week the American position on key issues in the autonomy talks. It appeared that the U.S. agrees with Israel on some issues and is forcefully opposed to its position on others. Strauss met with Premier Menachem Begin Monday morning and later with Interior Minister Yosef Burg, chairman of the Israeli delegation to the autonomy negotiations with Egypt and the U.S. Monday evening he met with Burg and the entire Israeli negotiating team. Although Strauss had said earlier that the meetings were simply to “get acquainted," some substantive matters were discussed. He reportedly reiterated to the Israeli delegation Washington’s strong opposition to Israel’s settlements policy on the West Bank and Gaza Strip but agreed with Israel’s view that at this stage of the autonomy talks it was premature to discuss a possible future solution for those territories after the five-year autonomy period. g The Americans seemed to share Israel's position that ike talks, which were to resume in Alexandria Thursday, should deal with specifics such as the establishment of local administra tive councils. Egypt has proposed that the agenda include a statement of “the aims and objectives” of autonomy. Israel’s view was backed by legal opinions compiled by Meir Rosenne, legal advisor to the Foreign Ministry, who argued that several points in the Egyptian proposal go beyond the terms of reference set out for the autonomy talks in the Camp David accords and in the joint letter signed by President Anwar Sadat and Premier Menachem Begin which accompanied the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty. Burg told reporters that his delegation had explained to Strauss why Israel could not accept Egypt’s proposal for a declaration of principles. “We See Strauss, page 17 t " 1 ■ "" 11 1 11 1 11 The Souther Israelite >• \ a: < cr \ CQ O O UJ rD The Weekly Newspaper for Southern Jewry Our 55th Year Statute abolish By close vote, Germany opens door for prosecution of Nazis by Vida Goldgar West Germany’s Bundestag (parliament) voted Tuesday in Bonn to completely abolish the Statute of Limitations, thus paving the way for continued prosecution of fugitive Nazi war criminals. Despite efforts to amend the statute rather than abolish it, the final vote was 255-222, a slight change from the second reading vote of 253-228 earlier in the day long debate. In Atlanta, Israeli Consul General Joel Anion called the vote “very gratifying” although he finds the closeness of the vote “a bit bothersome.” Arnon had a word of caution: “Obviously,” ha said,-,, “this is just the legal framework. What the German government really needs to do is to be more eager about capturing and sentencing those criminals that are still about.” He pointed out that in Dusseldorf and elsewhere, accused war criminals were “released on very flimsy pretexts” after lengthy trials. “It is not only the question of the Statute of Limitations,” Arnon said, “but how justice works in Germany.” Nonetheless, Arnon noted with satisfaction that “Germany is turning toward a more democratic way.” The television series, “Holocaust,” which was shown in Germany last January, was credited with a major shift in public opinion there. Surveys showed that about 50 percent of the people in West Germany were in favor of continued prosecution of war criminals after “Holocaust” was aired, compared to 30 percent before (he impact of the television " Cowi Jocrgcn Staks, from the Cffiisutete General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Atlanta, told The Southern Israelite that essentially two points were at issue in the debate: the legal/technical point and the moral point. He noted that when the German criminal law was formulated in the 19th ‘ century, the Statute of Limitations made sense. “At that time,” Staks said, “no one could expect that the Nazi crimes could happen at all.” Now, he added, “The moral point in the procedure of abolishing the statute is the most important point.” Staks personally thinks the Statute of Limitations had to be abolished, though, as a lawyer, he said he understands the feeling of those who voted against abolishment. “All the judges and special prosecutors in Germany who were for not abolishing the statute, accept 100 percent the moral point of view,” according to Staks. Their vote, he said, was based on the legal and technical difficulties in carrying out successful prosecution after such a longtime." Involved regurarly in interviews and testimony from former German-Jews “at least once a week”—Staks related the difficulties witnesses have in recalling details and identifications after 30-35 years and more. See Statute, page 17 Goldberg hopes dream of Maccabiah comes true by Faith Powell It Steve Goldberg carried a placard it would probably read, “Support Your Local Soccer Player." Steve is set to play on the United States soccer team in the Maccabiah Pan-American Games later this month in Mexico. But his goal is to go to Israel in 1981 for the World Maccabiah Games. Like the Olympics, the games are held every four years. Jewish athletes from many nations participate in 20 sports, including soccer. Soccer, says 21-year-old Goldberg, is becoming big time. Already a number one sport in Europe, recent years have seen an increase in the number and popularity of American teams. And Goldberg should know because he is currently working for the Atlanta Chiefs Soccer Team. He is on the marketing staff of the team while he completes work for his marketing degree at the University of Georgia. Maccabiah-bound? While he does not plan to play professionally (he began his training at the ripe old age of 14. “too late,” he said), he played on college teams and on many top quality amateur teams in the U.S. and in Europe Another one of Steve’s goals is to coach young soccer players. “That’s where you can really see some talent Kids who are six. seven, eight or nine." What makes soccer so special to Steve? “Soccer, is all about movement, dance, a big jazz dance. It’s very fluid." explained Goldberg. One person doesn’t win the game for you, you have to be a team.” Teamwork is important in the game of soccer and not just on the field. The Maccabiah games, begun in 1932. are not totally funded by any one agency or organization. It is up to each individual player to raise $825 to pay for travel, lodging, equipment, and uniforms. And there is that chance that the money may not be raised, and the player will not go But Steve is adamant. “I will go. Somehow I will find the support." (Any organization or individual who would like to help send Steve to the Maccabiah Games can contact him through The Southern Israelite—Editor.) OZZ^ HO IIVNN 10) i: