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WHEREVER THEY MAY BE
© 1972, The
Beate Klarsfeld Foundation
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remaining (23 days), as my case had to be submitted
in revision to the Federal Court of Karlsruhe.
In the courtroom,
crowded with reporters from all over the world as well as resisters and
deportees, there are sounds of protest. They start singing the
Marseillaise. The verdict has heightened the effect of the trial. There
is general indignation.
Wednesday, July 10, Paris. At a huge
demonstration before the German Embassy I am surrounded by a delirious crowd.
Thousands of people demand ratification and declare their support of me. Our
apartment is besieged by French and foreign press. I don't get a chance to stop
talking, answering questions – especially about Achenbach, who is on his
way to becoming the scapegoat of the bad conscience of the Germans. In fact, in
Germany it was immediately recognized in political circles that the verdict was
a disaster for the Federal government, which is celebrating its twenty-fifth
anniversary. The young democrats of Achenbach's Liberal party come to see us in
Paris and take back with them two thousand photocopies of documents in our
files. They hold a press conference in Bonn; they are going to demand that
Achenbach resign as reporter of his committee to the Bundestag on the
agreement. On July 22, this is accomplished. Achenbach resigns. The
ratification will be approved.
But by this time I have left Paris. So
have Serge, Arno, Lida, and Petia; all five of us are in Israel. We are honored
in Jerusalem. Gradually the turmoil of the trial, which has more than fulfilled
our hopes, is stilled.
In Germany public opinion, except for the
extreme right, is changing in my favor. A Liberal deputy nominates me for the
Theodor Heuss Prize "for having awakened the German conscience." I am also
nominated by the "Christian-Political" movement for the Bundesverdienstkreuz,
the legion of honor. Perhaps someday I may even be a prophet in my own country.
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WHEREVER THEY MAY BE
© 1972, The
Beate Klarsfeld Foundation |
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Page 321 |
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