[Page 33]
3.3.4. The 1992 VSB described such sentiments as racist and claimed that they were designed to incite anti-foreigner sentiment, especially against asylum seekers. `This systematic aggressive incitement against ethnic minorities aims to suggest that immigrants abuse the asylum laws and are criminals and parasites.' The report singled out the DNZ and DWZ/DA as vehicles for such sentiments.<91> Propaganda headlines like `Gypsy terror - Germany a victim?', `Opposition will be suppressed', `Gypsies -danger for Germany?', `Crimes of foreigners - danger to all of us', `The civil state is in danger - result of crime and abuse of asylum seeking law' gave the impression that immigrants were inferior arid in essence criminals. <92>
3.3.5. Irving's endorsement of the Leuchter Report and his conversion to radical revisionism (see below) did not prevent Irving appearing as a star speaker at the DVU's annual Passau in March 1990, after not haven spoken at DVU functions for a year-and-a-half. <93> His allotted topic was `Moscow's new policy to Germany': -Originally Irving had cancelled his appearance at Passau (`for economic reasons' as he told Frey") in favour of a meeting in Belgium arranged by Ewald Althans (see below), but changed his mind at the last minute when the meeting was banned.<95> On 9 March 1990 the city of Passau banned Irving from appearing altogether as a speaker.<96> Irving described his appearance at Passau on 10 March in his diary.
Here [in a side room of the hall in Passau] I was handed a police Verordnung [ordinance] issued under the Ausl„ndergesetz [law governing foreigners] bannin me from even attempting to speak there or anywhere else in Passau today, on the grounds of what I had allegedly said at
-----
[Page 34]
3.3.6. The city of Passau had justified its ban, according to later
appeal documents, with the fact that at Landshut on 23 February 1990
Irving had presented 'his theory `that there had never been a gassing
of Jews' and that `The figure of 6 million murdered Jews was described
by the plaintiff thereby as a life lie [`Lebensliige] by the state of
Israel as a means of permanent financial and political blackmail.'<98>
3.3.7. On 15 October 1990 Frey wrote to Irving in an irritated tone
that `The court case for your right to speak in Passau, for which I am
not responsible because it was'caused by other appearances, is costing
me many thousands of marks...'" He reminded him that `We have so often
repeated our agreement that you do not talk of Hitler of the Jews at
all at our events, that I will content myself with this short reminder
also for our events in the future.'<100>
3.3.8. On 29 January 1991 the Regensburg administrative court found
partially in the DVU's favour and the city of Passau retreated to a
position of allowing Irving to speak in Passau in the future so long as
he obliged himself to refrain from mentioning certain topics.<101>
-----
[Page 35]
3.3.9. Enclosing the court ruling to Irving Frey pointed out that the
original ban had been based on statements Irving had made outside the
DVU's meetings and that this was an important factor in allowing them
to appeal the ban on Irving's behalf.
If Hitler or the Jews were even touched upon in your speech it
would be a decisive blow against our position and enough grounds
for us never to get the Nieblungen hall [in Passau] again, which
we have be able to gain in court victories year for year. As
always I trust in the full observance of our agreement. <102>
3.3.10. Irving's opinions on the Holocaust were not the only thing to
worry Frey and the DVU. They were also concerned about Irving's new
political. allies in Germany, especially with Ewald Althans and his
AV™. As early as December 1989 Bernd Droese of the DVU's publishers
wrote to Irving warning him about `a man called Ewald Althans', and
advised `caution' [`Vorsicht] in his. dealings with him....<103>
3.3.11. Regarding an illegal demonstration in Munich after the
international revisionist conference in Munich on 20 April 1990 (see
below) Irving wrote in his dairy.
3.3.12. In 1991, Irving's alleged:presence on:this demonstration
continued to disturb the DVU.
An AV™. flyer advertising the second Munich revisionist congress of 23
March 1991
-----
[Page 36]
celebrated the exploits of the previous one, writing that `300
participants joined David Irving in a spontaneous demonstration to the
Feldherrenhalle after our event.' <105> The DVU brought the flyer to
Irving's attention and Irving requested Althans correct his
statements.<106>
3.3.13. But Frey was equally unhappy about Irvine's willingness to
attend this second congress. After thanking him for his 1991 Passau
appearance, Frey wrote that he had just received a flyer for the
forthcoming conference. `I fear this will be the cause of a final
residency ban [`Aufenthaltsverbot'] in the Federal Republic, which I am
very sorry about.'<107> A few weeks later Frey again wrote to Irving
expressing his concern, and apparently turning down a suggestion by
Irving that he tour for the DVU again.
At the moment I have considerable doubts if we could in practice
carry through a speaking tour with you, even if we continually won
in the courts.
3.3.14. Two weeks later Frey reiterated his concerns.
I consider the whole venture in no way accords with the current
legal system, presume that the congress will not take place at
all, and considerable disadvantages with consequences will arise
in the matter of your entry [to Germany).
With regard to our long-standing connection I do not want to be
able to say that I
-----
[Page 37]
3.3.14. Evidently, although aware that Irving's statements to other
organisations had become far more radical, Frey trusted that Irving
would not become a liability for the DVU.<110> Irving faxed back
immediately that 'as always' [`wie immer'] at DVU events he would say
nothing of the Jews or death camps.<111> Frey entreated Irving again
to be more careful a week later,' asking him to avoid all `other
activities' [`anderweitige Aktivitäten'] in Germany in the run up to
the Passau rally of 1991, especially anything which might give cause
for another ban. Frey warned Irving that the authorities were waiting
to deport him or ban him from Passau. `It would be madness if you
walked into the open knife that is plain for all to see.'<112>
33.15. On 6 February 1991 the city of Passau banned Irving again from
mentioning the theses contained in the Leuchter Report.<113> This
being only a partial ban meant that Irving spoke at Passau on
`Germany's new role as a great power' [`Deutschlands neue Rolle als
Grossmacht.'] on 16 February 1991, the audience., obviously charged by
his previous ban. `At 4 p.m. I spoke: the audience came alive, began
cheering, roaring with laughter, chanting my name (first time),
"Ir-ving, Ir-ving!" I made what I consider to be my finest political
speech so far.' <114>
3.3.16. At this point the Irving's documentation becomes sketchy. It
would appear that Irving spoke again at Passau on 14 March 1992, <115>
but for the October 1993 rally Irving was informed by Bruno Wetzel that
the DVU had `put together a program with other speakers for a number of
necessities', thus bringing to an end a 12-year political
-----
[Page 38]
alliance.<116>
3.4 Initial conclusions.
3.4.1. Irving has been one of the main speakers and agitators for the
RWE DVU, from the early 1980s until he was banned from entering Germany
in 1993. The DVU is itself a party that propagates hatred against
foreigners, anti-Semitism, revisionism, incites violence, and has a
record of repeatedly co-operating with the NPD and sometimes even with
the RWE militia groups.
3.4.2. Not only was Irving, apart from Frey himself, one of the
principal speakers at the DVU's annual meetings and rallies, but he
also co-operated systematically with the DVU. Both the OPC and the
social sciences consider the DVU to be RWE and subsequently view
Irving's activities for them in the same category. Irving at no time
distanced himself from any of these central DVU positions. On the
contrary it would appear that the DVU felt itself obliged to
distance-itself from Irving as his position on the Holocaust and his
new-found allies in Germany were even more extremist. This not for a
lack of political empathy, but out of a necessity for the DVU to
maintain its democratic clothing.
-----
[Page 38]
3.4 Initial conclusions
3.4.1. Irving has been one of the main speakers and agitators for the
RWE DVU, from the early 1980s until he was banned from entering Germany
in 1993. The DVU is itself a party that propagates hatred against
foreigners, anti-Semitism, revisionism, incites violence, and has a
record of repeatedly co-operating with the NPD and sometimes even with
the RWE militia groups.
3.4.2. Not only was Irving, apart from Frey himself, one of the
principal speakers at the DVU's annual meetings and rallies, but he
also co-operated systematically with the DVU. Both the OPC and the
social sciences consider the DVU to be RWE arid subseqüntly view
Irving's activities for them in the same category. Irving at no time
distanced himself from any of these central DVU positions. On the
contrary it would appear that the DVU felt itself obliged to
distƒnce-itself from Irving as his position on the Holocaust and his
new-found allies in Germany were even more extremist. This not for a
lack of political empathy, but out of a necessity for the DVU to
maintain its democratic clothing.
[
Previous ·
Index ·
Next ]
Home ·
Site Map ·
What's New? ·
Search
Nizkor
© The Nizkor Project, 1991-2012
This site is intended for educational purposes to teach about the Holocaust and
to combat hatred.
Any statements or excerpts found on this site are for educational purposes only.
As part of these educational purposes, Nizkor may
include on this website materials, such as excerpts from the writings of racists and antisemites. Far from approving these writings, Nizkor condemns them and
provides them so that its readers can learn the nature and extent of hate and antisemitic discourse. Nizkor urges the readers of these pages to condemn racist
and hate speech in all of its forms and manifestations.
<91> "`Die systematische aggressive Agitation dieser Blütter gegen
ethnische Minderheiten erweckt den Eindruck, die fremdländischen
Zuwanderer seien vornehmlich Asylbetrüger, Kriminelle
und Schiriarotzer.'" Verfassungsschutz-Bericht 1992.
<92> `"Zigeuner-Terror - Deutsche als Freiwild?", "Wer aufmuckt; wild
zusammengeschlagen"; "Zigeuner-gefahr fuer Deutschland?",
"Ausländerkriminalität - Gefahr fur uns alle", "Der Rechtsstaat wankt -
Folge von Kriminalität and Asylbetrug". Verfassungsschutz-Bericht 1993.
<93> Dr. Gerhard Frey to Irving, 26 September 1989; Irving to Dr.
Michael von Sprenger, 21 November 1990. That this coincided with
Irving's statements to the German press about his `research' work for
Frey in the Berlin Document Center in 1984 may be more than coincidence.
<94> 'Wie Sie schreiben, handelt es um "wirtschaftliche Gründe".' Dr. Gerhard Frey to Irving, 1 February 1990.
<95> Irving to Wetzel, 6 January 1990. Apparently Althans had organised that Irving speak in Belgium and Munich that day, but the Belgian
speech was banned. See Irving to Karl Philipp, 6 February 1990;
`Abrechnung D. Irving von Feb / Marz 90', handwritten, dated Munster 11 March 1990; Dr. Gerhard Frey to Irving, 26 March 1990.
<96>Stadt Passau, `Einschränkung der politische Betätigung in der
Bundesrepublik gemäss 6 des Ausländergesetzes...Bescheid', 9 March
1990.
Landshut. Schweinerei [disgraceful]. Bruno Wetzel appeared, said I
should comply, and Frey would litigate for damages. Vigorous
applause as I went on the stage. Hall was packed, galleries
overflowing, over 8,000 people present ....When Frey announced,
with me standing next to him, ["disgusting"] that the police had
banned my speech, there was a colossal tumult of cheers, boos,
shouts of "Pfui", etc. <97>
<97> Diary entry, 10 March 1990. Irving had spoken in Landshut to the
"Arbeitskreis Historische Wahrheit' on 23 February 1990, organised by
Ewald Althans. See diary entry, 18 February 1990; 'Vollzug des
Ausländergesetzes (AUsIG) Ausweisung aus der Bundesrepublik Deutschland', n.d., pp. 6-7
<98>'Zum Thema Judenvernichtung vertrat er auch in dieser Veranstaltung seine These, dass es nie eine Vergasung von Juden gegeben habe.[...] Die
Zahl von 6 Millionen getöteten Juden bezeichnetete tier Kläger dabei
als Lebenslüge ties Staates Israel als Mittel zur ständigen Erpressung
auf finanziellen and politischem Gebiet.' Staatsanwaltschaft Regensburg
to the Bayerischen Verwaltungsgericht, entered 4 October 1990.
<99> 'Der Prozess um Ihr Rederecht in Passau, für den ich ja nichts kann, weil er durch Ihre anderweitigen Auftritte verursacht ist, kostet
mich sehr viele tausende Mark...' Dr. Gerhard Frey to Irving, 15
October 1990.
<100> 'Wir haben nun unsere Vereinbarung so oft widerholt, dass Sie
über Hitler and Juden auf unseren Veranstaltungen überhaupt nicht
sprechen, dass ich es mit diesem kurzen Hinweis auch für unsere
Veranstaltungen in tier Zukunft bewenden lasse.' Ibid.
<101> 'Vollzug ties Ausländergesetzes (AusIG) Ausweisung aus tier Bundesrepublik Deutschland', n.d., p. 8. See also Irving to Michael Hubertus von Sprenger, 14 November 1990; Stadt Passau to Michael Hubertus von Sprenger, 30 January 1991; Michael Hubertus von Sprenger to Irving, 30 January 1990.
We would fall under the banning order if these other theses were
to be spread with us. Nevertheless I know from your numerous
previous speeches with the DVU that you would not even touch upon
the topics Hitler or the Jews. [...]
8.20 a.m. phoned DVU's [Bruno] Wetzel, he says they are alarmed by
the press reports, they couldn't imagine that I would have marched
on the Feldherrenhalle. I said, greatly exaggerated. He asked if
Althans was on the square (inappropriate metaphor). I said, so far
as I can see. But he's a hothead, needs curbing. <104>
<102> 'Wir würden unter die Verbotsverfügung fallen, wenn diese anderweitigen Thesen auch bei uns verbreitet würden. Jedoch weiss ich
aus Ihren unzühligen früheren Redebeiträgen bei der DVU, dass Sie hier weder das Thema Hitler noch das Thema Juden auch nur berühen.[...]/
Worden in Ihrer Rede Hitler and die Juden auch nur gestreift, wäre das
ein entscheidender Schlag gegen unsere Position and wohl ein Grund, dass
wir die Nieblungenhalle nie wieder bekämen, die wir jetzt Jahr um Jahr
im Prozesssieg erringen kännen. Ich vertraue also, wie stets, auf die
volle Beachtung unserer Absprachen.' Dr. Gerhard Frey to Irving, 30
January 1991.
<103> [Bernd] Dröse, DSZ-Verlag, to Irving, 18 December 1989. See also
Irving to Ewald Althans, 31 December 1989; Ewald Althans to Irving, 7
January 1990; Ewald Althans to Sally [Cox], 7 January 1990. See also
Irving to Ewald Althans, 31 December 1989.
<104> Diary entry, 26 April 1990. See also diary entry,,26 March 1991.
`Faxes from ...DVU, Althans told press I was at 21.4.1990 march!
(untrue)...'
In that you are announced to speak on 23.3. on a topic- that does
. not . coincide. with- thecontemporary political legal order, I
fear serious drawbacks for you, that could also influence
presentations you give on legally harmless. topics. [...]
...I have just received some documents about the supposed congress
that is meant to take place in the "German Museum".
<105> `300 Zuhörer zogen mit David Irving nach unserer Veranstaltung auf einer Spontandemonstration zur Feldherrenhalle.' AVÖ flyer, ' Wahrheit - Freiheit - Recht,' n.d.
<106> [Bruno] Wetzel to Irving, 22 March 1991; Irving to Ewald Althans, 26 March 1991. See also diary entry, 20 March 1991. 'Frey faxed me re Althans' clumsy PR work for "Kongress".'
<107>`Ich fürchte, dass dies der
Anlass zu einem endgültigen Aufenthaltsverbot in der Bundesrepublik für
Sie werden wird, was ich sehr bedaure.' Dr. Gerhard Frey to Irving, 18
February 1991.
<108> 'Da Sie unter einem von der gegenwärtigen politischen
Rechtsordnung nicht gedeckten Thema wohl für den 23.3 angekündigt sind,
fürchte ich schwerwiegende Nachteile für Sie, die sich auch auf
Vorträge auswirken könnten, die Sie über rechtlich gänzlich
unbedenkliche 'Mema halten. [...]/ Zum gegenwärtigen Zeitpunkt habe ich
erhebliche Zweifel, ob wir eine Vortragsreise mit Ihnen in der Praxis
durchsetzen können, auch wenn wir gerichtlich stets gewan.' Dr. Gerhard
Frey to Irving, 7 March 1991.
neglected to explain this to you yet again. <109>
<109> `...gerade erhalte ich einige Schriftstücke über den angeblichen
Kongress' der im "Deutschen Museum" in München staatfinden soll./
Ich halte das garize Unternehmen für mit"der
gegenwärtigen Rechtsordnung keinesfalls übereinstimmend, nehme
an, dass der Kongress überhaupt nicht statfinden wird and im Falle Ihrer
Einreise beträchtliche Nachteile mit Konsequenzen auf Sie zukommen./ Im
Hinblick auf unsere langjährige Verbindung möchte ich nicht versäumt
haben, Ihnen dies ein weiteres Mal darzulegen.' Dr. Gerhard Frey to
Irving, 20 March 1991.
<110> Irving had apparently 'often' ['hüug'] given the DVU a written
promise not to mention the Jews or Hitler. See Dr. Gerhad Frey to
living, 5 July 1994.
<111> Irving to Dr. Gerhard Frey and Michael Hubertus von Sprenger, 30
January 1991.
<112> `Es wäre Wahnsinn, würden Sie jetzt in die vor aller Augen
aufgeklappten Messer laufen.' Dr. Gerhard Frey to Irving, 6 February
1991.
<113> 'Vollzug des Ausländergesetzes (AusIG) Ausweisung aus der
Bundesrepublik Deutschland, n.d.', p. 8.
<114> Diary entry, 16 February 1991.
<115> Dr. Gerhard Frey to Irving, 29 July 1991; Christian Worch to
Irving, 20 January 1992.
<116> `...aus einer Reihe Notwendigkeiten ein Programm nit anderen
Rednern zusammengestellt haben...' Bruno Wetzel to Irving, 8 July 1993.
Se [sic] also Irving to Bruno Wetzel, 21 June 1993; Irving to Bruno
Wetzel, 8 July 1993.