WORLD LEADERS REACT TO THE DEATH OF SIMON WIESENTHAL

"Mr. Wiesenthal's efforts to pursue justice for the victims of the Holocaust sent an important message to the world that there should be no impunity for genocide and crimes against humanity.'' - U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.

"The work of Mr. Wiesenthal and the organization that bears his name has had a significant influence on Canada and has contributed to the creation of our own War Crimes Program, designed to examine all allegations concerning the presence in Canada of suspected war criminals from either the World War II era or more recent conflicts. Canada stands with others to acknowledge the immeasurable contribution this man has made to the fight against impunity and for accountability for the most serious crimes. The Simon Wiesenthal Center, including its Toronto office, the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies, will ensure that his voice continues to be heard."  -  Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin

"With the passing of Simon Wiesenthal we have lost someone who fought untiringly against forgetting. His philosophy of life centred around justice rather than revenge. I am deeply affected by his death. In spite of his personal experiences, Wiesenthal’s attitude was to remain watchful at all times and through this watchfulness to ensure that the most terrible epoch in our history can never be repeated in any way. We will continue to honour him and his work." - Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel

"A tireless campaigner for justice and rights." - French President Jacques Chirac

"The name of Simon Wiesenthal ... will live on.'' - Austrian President Heinz Fischer.

"He represented the morality of humanity; he represented the free world, the democratic world. He devoted his life to fighting racism, anti-Semitism, Nazism and he really contributed to making a better world for the next generation." -  Israeli President Moshe Katsav

"Simon was a lion of a man, a survivor and a conqueror, a hero in every sense of the word. He suffered unspeakable hardships in the Nazi death camps but he did not let them break his spirit or compromise his will to live...he spoke for those who could no longer speak and he honored their memory by bringing their persecutors to justice. His courage, his determination and his ability to rise above the horrors of the holocaust and become its hero will never be forgotten. The Simon Wiesenthal Center will keep that memory alive." - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

"An indefatigable man moved by conviction that for the common good one has to search for truth." - Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski

"Humanity is poorer because a just man, Simon Wiesenthal, is gone." - Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany

"Simon Wiesenthal will forever be rightly credited with ensuring justice was done for some of the worst crimes in history...He was tireless in his efforts and he gave the Jewish communities in the UK and around the world a lifetime of service, and future generations will forever be indebted to him. His important work will be continued by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, ensuring that his name and legacy are preserved. The name Simon Wiesenthal will forever be synonymous with justice and fostering tolerance and understanding." - UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw

"Simon Wiesenthal devoted his life to rooting out anti-Semitism, intolerance and other forms of injustice across the globe. He taught us never to forget the horrors of the past and reminded us of our responsibility to see all people as members of one human family. We are proud that New York is home to the Simon Wiesenthal Tolerance Center. On a daily basis, the Center keeps Simon Wiesenthal's legacy alive by working to end anti-Semitism and prejudice against all. The thoughts and prayers of all New Yorkers are with the Wiesenthal family, and all of his friends and colleagues during this difficult time." - New York Governor George E. Pataki

"Simon Wiesenthal, like few others ... personally felt the shadow of history in its brutality. ... Despite this, I was always touched by the fact that he was not bitter and fought for justice admirably.'' - Former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl