Top Officers Discuss Sacking Affair (Press, 25 January 1984)

On 25 January 1984, senior West German military commanders convened in Bonn to discuss the recent dismissal of General Guenther Kiessling amid growing concerns about the credibility of the country’s Intelligence agency. This meeting, led by the Inspector-General of the Bundeswehr, General Wolfgang Altenburg, involved a briefing for twelve senior officers about the ongoing inquiry into Kiessling's case, which could impact Defence Minister Manfred Woerner's position. Kiessling, who was the German Deputy Supreme Commander of NATO forces, was forced into early retirement in December 1983 based on Intelligence reports that alleged his homosexual lifestyle posed a security risk. In response, Kiessling has strongly denied claims made by the Military Counter-Intelligence Agency regarding his alleged visits to homosexual bars and clubs. He has maintained a high public profile, engaging in numerous press and media interviews to refute these allegations. Government spokesman Peter Boenisch acknowledged at a news conference that some actions at the Intelligence agency might warrant reassessment. Leaders from the Christian Democratic Party, including Chancellor Dr Helmut Kohl, called for immediate clarity regarding any potential failures within the agency. Boenisch was quoted expressing concern that the service’s internal issues could jeopardise the standing of elected officials as well as national security, indicating that the current situation could not be normal. Franz Josef Strauss, the Bavarian Minister President and head of the second-largest party in the ruling coalition, echoed concerns about the Intelligence agency's handling of the situation. Strauss pointed out that the agency's agents had not directly observed Kiessling at the establishments in question, thereby questioning the validity of the reports. He urged Defence Minister Woerner to reveal the complete truth regarding the case and to clear Kiessling's name if the evidence against him proved to be unsubstantiated. The meeting in Bonn came ahead of an all-party hearing set to begin later that week into the Kiessling affair. Notably, Chancellor Kohl and Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher were absent from the Bonn discussions due to a six-day visit to Israel and diplomatic talks in Rome respectively. Meanwhile, the Opposition Social Democrats cautioned the Government against shifting blame onto the Counter-Intelligence Agency, warning that such actions could prevent accountability for the wider issues at play. The situation reflected a significant controversy within the German military and political landscape, threatening both the reputation of the Armed Forces and the governance of the current administration.

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