Discord Motive For Sacking? (Press, 20 January 1984)

Pressure is increasing in West Germany for the Defence Ministry to clarify the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of General Guenther Kiessling, one of the Deputy Supreme Commanders of NATO forces in Europe. Former Defence Minister Hans Apel has expressed that General Kiessling has been “hunted from the service” in violation of military regulations. Allegations suggest that General Bernard Rogers, the American Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, has been opposed to having a German deputy, which could explain the tensions leading to Kiessling's removal. Until 1978, there was only one deputy commander, always British. The decision to include a German commander was deemed politically necessary because West Germany stands to be the primary battlefield in a potential conflict with the Warsaw Pact. However, there have been significant disagreements regarding military strategies, particularly as NATO appears to have shifted from a “forward defence” strategy—engaging at the East-West border—to a new doctrine where all of West Germany could become a battleground even without nuclear arms. This strategy, as outlined in the U.S. Army handbook “Air-Land Battle 2000,” has provoked discontent among West Germans, including General Kiessling, who advocated for European arms purchases rather than exclusively American ones, further alienating him from General Rogers. General Kiessling had requested early retirement effective April 1, 1984, instead of serving his anticipated term. Following his request, Defence Minister Manfred Woerner allegedly pressured him to take leave from the end of December 1983, which Kiessling refused, resulting in his enforced retirement. Although the official grounds for dismissal were not disclosed, leaks from the Military Intelligence Service indicated that Kiessling was considered a homosexual, posing a presumed security risk due to possible blackmail. Kiessling has vehemently denied these allegations and has sought a disciplinary hearing, which sources suggest may not be granted. As public scrutiny intensified, Minister Woerner took to television to assert that Kiessling’s removal was confirmed to be based on “security grounds,” though he notably avoided labeling Kiessling as a “security risk.” Critics have interpreted this vague statement as an indication that Woerner might have been prioritising U.S.-German cooperation over direct concerns for domestic security, given his close ties to U.S. Defence Secretary Caspar Weinberger. Dissatisfaction with the official rationale for Kiessling's dismissal has emerged not only from military circles but also from political opposition and members of the ruling coalition, especially from the Free Democrats. One Defence spokesman questioned the severity of the reasons behind Kiessling's premature retirement, suggesting that the issue poses a significant challenge for the government. The fallout from this situation is likely to continue, with implications for German-American relations and domestic military governance.

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