The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation Website http://raoulwallenberg.net/

The creator of the Raoul Wallenberg Foundation, Baruch Tenembaum, has proposed to the heads of state of Mexico and Austria that both countries erect commemorative monuments to pay tribute to Gilberto Bosques Saldivar, the Mexican diplomat who helped a great number of people persecuted by the Nazis during WWII.

On the occasion of another birthday of Gilberto Bosques Saldivar (1892-1995) next July 15th, the founder of the educational NGO which promotes the values displayed by the persons who helped those persecuted by the Nazi regime has contacted the President of Mexico, Mr. Felipe Calderon, and the Chancellor of Austria, Mr. Werner Fayman, proposing that both nations "pay an unequivocal and ultimate tribute to this hero of the Holocaust, by dedicating a statue or a bust to be placed in both capitals."

Gilberto Bosques was the consul of Mexico in Marseilles, from 1939 till 1943 and from this post he granted visas to Mexico to a great number of Jews, leaders of the Austrian and French resistance movements, Spanish Republicans, as well as others persecuted by the Nazis and their allies. In 1944, Bosques, the author of a vast literary work, wrote in one of his many articles: "I applied my country's policies to provide help, material and moral support to the defenders of the Spanish Republic, to the tireless heroes of the struggle against Hitler, Mussolini, Franco, Petain and Laval."

Captured by the Nazis, together with dozens of diplomats from other countries, he remained in captivity in the German city of Bad Godesberg, near Bonn. Following an agreement between Germany and Mexico, Bosques was set free and returned to his country of birth.

Throughout the years, the Wallenberg Foundation has promoted the image of the Mexican Consul Gilberto Bosques Saldívar. Among the initiatives organized or sponsored to honor the memory of this Mexican hero, we underline that which took place on June 4, 2003, when the "Promenade Gilberto Bosques" was inaugurated in Vienna, Austria, in recognition of the staunch opposition by the Mexican Government to the invasion and annexation in 1938. In addition, the Wallenberg Foundation also issued, together with the Israeli Postal Authority, a commemorative stamp in homage to the Mexican savior.

Also, a ceremony took place at the General Consulate of Mexico in New York, at which time the Wallenberg Foundation paid tribute to the Mexican hero. In attendance were daughters Jacqueline and Doris of Herman Weitz who, thanks to one of the many visas granted by Bosques, managed to survive.