Atlanta, Ga., May 20, 1997....The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today said it was outraged by reports of Citadel cadets glorifying Nazi symbols, and called upon the Citadel administration to launch a full-scale investigation into the allegations.

In a letter to Major General Roger C. Poole, Citadel Interim President, ADL Southeast Regional Director Jay Kaiman said he was deeply troubled by repots of a group of cadets called Echo Company referring to itself as "The Stalag" and using a metal file locker containing a picture of a young man giving a Nazi salute.

"The Nazi regime was the most racist and hateful in modern times, and the atrocities committed in its name are unparalleled in history in both their scope and severity. The glorification of Nazi symbols as described by your cadets is thus certainly an example to be held out to the future leaders of this nation -- and most of all to future military leaders," said Mr. Kaiman.

"As an organization dedicated to combating anti-Semitism and racism, the Anti-Defamation League is outraged that Nazi symbols could be treated by Citadel cadets as 'badges of honor and passed on from year to year," continued Mr. Kaiman. "This conduct, if true, is especially frightening when attributed to young people being trained to defend our county and its tenets of freedom and democracy."

Mr. Kaiman said he was confident that Major General Poole shared the ADL's belief that anti-Semitism, racism and bigotry have no place in institutions of higher learning or the military.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.