Spy Agency Faces Inquiry (Press, 27 January 1984)
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Summary: Spy Agency Faces Inquiry (Press, 27 January 1984)
The dismissal of General Guenther Kiessling from his N.A.T.O. position has sparked a significant political controversy in West Germany, entering its fourth week on 27 January 1984. This situation arises following his forced retirement on 5 January, which Defence Minister Mr Manfred Woerner attributed to "security grounds." An all-party committee is now preparing for extensive hearings regarding the decision to dismiss Kiessling, who served as one of the two Deputy Supreme Commanders in Europe. In response to the controversy, Defence Minister Woerner set up a commission to investigate the Military Counter-Intelligence Agency, which labelled Kiessling a homosexual, a claim that has been vigorously disputed. An aide to Chancellor Dr Helmut Kohl hinted at inconsistencies in the credibility of witness accounts that allege Kiessling frequented a homosexual bar in Cologne, potentially undermining the agency's position. The Defence Ministry has indicated that this inquiry into the counter-intelligence agency is separate from the Kiessling case, with a focus on evaluating the agency’s regulations and structure. Meanwhile, the Parliamentary inquiry is anticipated to begin formal proceedings, with Mr Woerner listed to testify on 8 February, alongside General Kiessling, the chief of the Intelligence agency Helmut Behrendt, and Inspector-General General Wolfgang Altenburg. General Kiessling, who is 58, has consistently denied being homosexual and denied visiting the bar in question. Speculation has arisen from a photo published by the magazine "Stern," which shows a man who resembles Kiessling and is alleged to have frequented the "Tom Tom" bar, further questioning the accuracy of the Intelligence agency's claims. Recent developments include the presence of one of Dr Kohl's aides at a meeting with Alexander Ziegler, a Swiss publisher of a homosexual magazine who allegedly holds evidence against Kiessling. Ziegler reportedly provided a tape recording from 1979 where a young gay man claimed to have been in an affair with Kiessling. Though this information was suppressed in the past due to financial constraints, the potential contents of the tape could shed new light on the allegations against him. In summary, the controversy surrounding General Kiessling's dismissal has ignited broader inquiries into the credibility of intelligence operations in West Germany, with a focus on allegations of homosexuality and the implications for national security and leadership integrity. The unfolding events indicate a complicated intersection of politics, military conduct, and societal views on homosexuality during the period.
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