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30 Nov.
45
COL. AMEN: Well now, what did Keitel first say to you
personally about this affair?
LAHOUSEN: I cannot repeat his
exact words, but the meaning was that he proclaimed the intention of
having Giraud killed, and asked me, as in the case of Weygand, how the
matter was progressing or had progressed so far.
COL. AMEN:
And what did you say to him on that occasion?
LAHOUSEN: I
cannot remember the exact words. I probably gave some evasive answer, or
one that would permit gaining time.
COL. AMEN: Now, was this
question later discussed by you at any time?
LAHOUSEN:
According to my recollection, this question was once more discussed in
August. The exact date can be found in my notes. Canaris telephoned me
in my private apartment one evening and said impatiently that Keitel was
urging him again about Giraud, and the section chiefs were to meet the
next day on this question. The next day the conference was held and
Canaris repeated in this larger circle what he had said to me over the
phone the night before. That is, he was being continually pressed by
Keitel that something must at last be done in this matter. Our attitude
was the same as in the matter of Weygand. All those present rejected
flatly this new demand to initiate and to carry out a murder. We
mentioned our decision to Canaris, who also was of the same opinion and
Canaris thereupon went down to Keitel in order to induce him to leave
the Military Abwehr out of all such matters and requested that, as
agreed prior to this, such matters should be left entirely to the SD.
In the meantime, while we were all there, I remember
Pieckenbrock spoke, and I remember every word he said. He said it was
about time that Keitel was told clearly that he should tell his Herr
Hitler that we, the Military Abwehr, were no murder organization like
the SD or the SS. After a short time, Canaris came back and said it was
now quite clear that he had convinced Keitel that we, the Military
Abwehr, were to be left out of such matters and further measures were to
be left to the SD.
I must observe here and recall that Canaris
had said to me, once this order had been given, that the execution must
be prevented at any cost. He would take care of that and I was to
support him.
COL. AMEN: I don't think you have yet told us
just who was present at this conference.
464
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