Letter: "The Hand of the Ustasha"
It was once believed that the Interior Minister of the Independent State of Croatia, Andrija Artukovic, ceased any involvement in Ustase activity once he entered the United States. This letter suggests otherwise. Jess Nathan was a crusading editor at the Valley Jewish News, one of the few publications in California to investigate the background of the defendant during the original Artukovic extradition hearings of the 1950s. This letter to a Jewish-American official is undated but is believed to date from 1958. The pattern of harassment of investigators looking into Ustase crimes, it should be noted, continues to this day.

 

Dear Al:

Thanks for the news from Yugoslavia re Artukovic. And thanks for your expression of support. The V.J. News looks for an increasing volume of backing from the community as we continue this campaign. I think you will be interested in knowing that the hand of the Ustasha is operating in the United States. During the past three weeks I have been threatened, as well as my wife and children, with death and/or maiming via telephone. Please believe me when I say that regardless of what may happen to me... the Valley Jewish News will continue its fight in bringing this "despicable remnant of the middle-ages to justice."

Jess Nathan
Co-editor of the
Valley Jewish News

 

:: filing information ::
Title: Letter: "The Hand of the Ustasha"
Source: Private Collection
Date: 1958 Added: October, 2002