Intelligence Chief Altered Report On Kiessling,... (Press, 18 February 1984)
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Summary: Intelligence Chief Altered Report On Kiessling,... (Press, 18 February 1984)
An inquiry into the dismissal of General Guenther Kiessling revealed that Colonel Oskar Schroeder, a member of West Germany's military counter-intelligence, testified on 17 February 1984 about alterations made to a report that influenced Defence Minister Mr Manfred Woerner's decision. Colonel Schroeder stated before an all-party parliamentary committee that Major-General Helmut Behrendt, the head of the intelligence agency, had modified the draft report by changing the phrase “police authorities” to “state criminal investigation office.” These changes, made with green ink, were meant to amplify the report's impact. General Kiessling, who was forced into early retirement in December 1983, was accused of being linked to homosexual bars in Cologne based on witnesses identified by the agency. However, after five weeks, these witnesses recanted their statements, leading to Kiessling's reinstatement and Mr Woerner's admission that his response had been overly hasty concerning a potential security risk. General Behrendt, who testified a day before Colonel Schroeder, stated he could not account for the alterations made to the report. Colonel Schroeder indicated that he believed Behrendt was responsible for the modifications, admitting to destroying previous drafts of the document on Behrendt’s orders. When asked why he did not report the changes, Schroeder expressed discomfort but felt he had no power to amend the document, acknowledging he was aware it would significantly influence Woerner’s dismissal decision. Additionally, a former chief of the intelligence agency testified that the claims surrounding General Kiessling's alleged homosexuality should not have warranted an investigation. Following the revelations, Mr Woerner initiated an independent commission earlier in February 1984 to assess the counter-intelligence service, examining its structure and methods, though the commission was not mandated to address the Kiessling situation specifically.
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