Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, addressing a nationwide television audience on the Eichmann trial, tonight recalled “the shame and worry” felt by all those who attempted to rebuild Germany after her collapse. The shame, he said, was based on the full realization of the Nazi crimes, while the worry concerned the question of how to eradicate the poison in wide sections of German thought.
Referring to West Germany’s restitution offer to help build the State of Israel, Chancellor Adenauer declared: “Israel accepted the contribution for her upbuilding and for this we were and still are grateful.” But worry about the German people is unfounded, he said, adding that National Socialism and National Socialist sentiments no longer existed in the life of the German people.
Referring to Prime Minister Ben-Gurion’s statement that young Germans cannot be made responsible for the crimes of their elders and recalling the Premier’s declaration of Israel’s interest in friendly relations with Germany, Chancellor Adenauer stated: “For these words on the eve of the Eichmann trial, we are indeed grateful to him.”
The Chancellor said he was speaking for the West German Government officially and for himself personally. “I believe it is necessary before the Eichmann trial starts to lay before the public the attitude of the government and my personal attitude,” he said, adding that he wished that in this trial “the whole truth will come to light and that justice will be served…”
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