 |
Krauch, the Economic Group Chemistry, the Office for Raw Materials,
about certain problems of production, the Planning Office, and other technical
questions. With this information, can you now recall approximately the
interrogation under discussion?
A. I do not remember the details any
more, but I know that such an interrogation took place.
Q. You stated
in that interrogation that the Reich Office for Economic Development was
founded for the purpose of directing the expansion of the production potentials
of chemicals, especially of "strategic products," of synthetic oils and rubber,
nitrogen, and other products. The financing of these expansion projects was
carried out by the government through the Reich Office for Economic Development
which, as you have stated, was a "nationalized IG," and that this Reich Office
for Economic Development was almost exclusively staffed with IG personnel.
Could you confirm this statement, and could you now explain it once more?
A. As a matter of principle, I would like to remark concerning this
statement that it was established at that time that it would not be used in the
trial. I take it for granted that this evidence also is not to be used in
court.
Q. No, I cannot promise you that this time.
A. The
English and American officers were not yet acquainted with the whole subject
matter, and they wanted, therefore, basic information, and got their first
information at these discussions. As far as I remember, no verbatim record was
kept, but a report was written subsequently from memory and was not submitted
to me, and thus I think it best now to formulate my former testimony anew.
Q. Would you, therefore, once more formulate the questions which you
discussed at that time, please?
A. It is not quite clear to me as to
where the lines were drawn between the tasks of the "Reich Office for Economic
Development" in the Reich Ministry of Economics and those of the
"Plenipotentiary General for Special Questions of Chemical Production" in the
Four Year Plan. In my opinion, they both carried out the same tasks, namely the
expansion of the production of all chemical raw materials which are essential
for waging war. From a legal point of view, I do not know whether the Reich
Office for Economic Development financed these projects. However, I had that
impression during my term of office as Minister.
A large number of the
employees working for the Plenipotentiary General for Special Questions of
Chemical Production and the Reich Office for Economic Development with whom my
people were in constant contact, were, as far as I know, employees who were
supplied by I.G. Farben. I don't know whether or not they |
982 |
. 
