040. Hermann Langbein a Primo Levi, 6 febbraio 1974

Vienna, 6 febbraio 1974

Dott.
Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Caro amico,

la tua risposta del 14 gennaio – per la quale ti sono davvero grato – mi ha rattristato molto; per tutti noi, infatti, sarebbe importante poter tenere conto dei tuoi consigli nella preparazione delle celebrazioni che si terranno a Gerusalemme nel gennaio 1975. Spero solo che nel frattempo il ritmo frenetico del tuo lavoro sia un po’ rallentato – la crisi petrolifera si è rivelata nel frattempo una battaglia più dei politici che dei chimici – e che quindi, a luglio, verrai a Berlino. Da Bruxelles, intanto, avrai già ricevuto un modulo inviato da Hubert Halin,[1] così, eventualmente, il biglietto aereo ti arriverà in tempo.

In ogni caso, ti prego di farmi sapere se ti sarà possibile metterti in viaggio.

Ti sono molto grato degli sforzi costanti per far tradurre il mio libro in italiano. Ti assicuro che la mia gratitudine non diminuirà se dovessero fallire.

Spero che tu e i tuoi stiate bene, ti mando i miei saluti più cari, come sempre

Tuo

Langbein

HH/CC-113/74

1050 Bruxelles, 21 gennaio 1974
28 place Flagey

Alla signora dott.ssa de HAUTVAL
Ai signori dott. EITINGER, WELLERS
ADLER, KOSTA e LEVI

Cari Amici,

il nostro Amico Hermann LANGBEIN mi prega di indirizzarvi il modulo di partecipazione al prossimo congresso dell’UIRD a Berlino, che trovate allegato.

In accordo con Hermann LANGBEIN, si sono adottate disposizioni perché in quel frangente possa tenersi una riunione del Comitato Internazionale di Collegamento dei Sopravvissuti di Auschwitz.

Suggerisco che la riunione si tenga già il pomeriggio del 16 luglio.

L’agenzia di viaggio chiede di avere al più presto l’elenco dei partecipanti.

Spero vogliate restituirmi il formulario entro la fine del mese, e ve ne ringrazio in anticipo.

Credete, cari Amici, ai miei sentimenti migliori.

Hubert HALIN,
Delegato generale.

UNIONE INTERNAZIONALE DELLA RESISTENZA E DELLA DEPORTAZIONE (UIRD)
HH/CC-1834/73

CONGRESSO DI BERLINO DEL LUGLIO 1974

Io sottoscritto (cognome, nome) ……………

indirizzo ……………

participerò al Congresso di BERLINO.

Desidero viaggiare con il seguente mezzo di trasporto

TRENO – NAVE – AEREO (1)

Arriverò a Berlino il ……………

Partirò da Berlino il ……………

Data ……………

Firma……………

DA RESTITUIRE A
HUBERT HALIN,
Delegato generale dell’UIRD,

28 place Flagey
1050 BRUXELLES.

(1) barrare l’opzione non pertinente.

UNIONE INTERNAZIONALE DELLA RESISTENZA E DELLA DEPORTAZIONE (UIRD)
HH/CC-1833/73

ALLEGATO II.
CONGRESSO DI BERLINO

Programma provvisorio

LUNEDÌ 15 LUGLIO 1974
– Arrivo dei componenti il Comitato degli esperti dell’UIRD per la lotta contro il neonazismo.
– 15:00: inizio della riunione alla sala congressi (sala 2).

MARTEDÌ 16 LUGLIO 1974
– 9:00: prosieguo della riunione degli esperti.
– in giornata arrivo degli altri partecipanti.
– 15:00: conferenza stampa.
– 18:00: accoglienza ufficiale dei partecipanti alla sala congressi

MERCOLEDÌ 17 LUGLIO 1974
– 10:00: sala congressi – Sessione accademica di apertura dei lavori
– 12:00-14:00: pranzo
– 14:00-17:00: visita di Berlino in pullman.
– 20:00: discussione pubblica (tavola rotonda).

GIOVEDÌ 18 LUGLIO 1974
– 9:30-12:00 e 14:00-17:00: riunione dell’URPE, del CIC, delle Commissioni.
– 19:00: ricevimento offerto dal Senato al Castello di Charlottenburg.

VENERDÌ 19 LUGLIO 1974
– 10:00-13:00: visita dei principali Musei.
– in serata: partecipazione alla Commemorazione dell’attentato del 20 luglio.

SABATO 20 LUGLIO 1974
– partecipazione a Plötzensee alla commemorazione dell’attentato del 20 luglio.
– nel pomeriggio = partenza dei partecipanti

ALLEGATO I[2]

UNIONE INTERNAZIONALE DELLA RESISTENZA E DELLA DEPORTAZIONE (UIRD)
HH/CC-1831/73

DICHIARAZIONE CONGIUNTA DEI DIRIGENTI DELL’UIRD E DELLE SUE ASSOCIAZIONI IN ISRAELE.

Il diritto alla Resistenza contro ogni occupazione straniera o ogni potere oppressivo è legittimo. Ma è un diritto che i Palestinesi non possono invocare per giustificare la loro azione terroristica contro ISRAELE, dal momento che rifiutano tutte le possibilità democratiche di trattativa che vengono loro offerte, e perseguono un solo obiettivo: l’annientamento totale dello Stato d’ISRAELE.

Il ricorso al terrorismo da parte dei palestinesi è tanto più indifendibile perché:
– ISRAELE non fa che ripetere di essere disposto a intavolare trattative dirette, in qualsiasi luogo e momento e senza condizioni, per giungere a un regolamento equo,
– non si arroga nessun diritto – a eccezione di quello alla sicurezza – sui territori che attualmente amministra,
– all’interno di quei territori, lascia agli abitanti la libertà di amministrarsi, di uscire e rientrare nel paese, di ricevere familiari e amici provenienti dai paesi più ostili, di esprimersi liberamente, di leggere la stampa, guardare o ascoltare la televisione o la radio che preferiscono, anche quando esse assumono i più violenti toni antisraeliani.

L’UIRD ricorda all’uopo la dichiarazione adottata unanimemente in occasione del congresso di ROYAUMONT:

Si augura che d’ora in avanti i popoli del Vicino Oriente rifiutino di farsi coinvolgere nelle rivalità economiche e strategiche tra le Grandi potenze e li invita a tentare di risolvere attraverso trattative idonee il conflitto fra lo Stato d’ISRAELE e il mondo arabo.

Ricorda che normalizzare la situazione del Vicino Oriente dev’essere in primo luogo opera delle parti interessate e che la soluzione al problema palestinese non può prescindere dal riconoscimento del diritto d’ISRAELE a esistere come Stato sovrano, provvisto di confini sicuri, accettati e garantiti da tutti.

HH/CC-1830/73

1050 Bruxelles, 4 ottobre 1973
28 place Flagey

A TUTTI I DIRIGENTI E LE ASSOCIAZIONI
DELL’UIRD
AI COMPONENTI DEL COMITATO DEGLI ESPERTI DELLA COMMISSIONE INTERNAZIONALE
«RESISTENZA E GIOVENTÙ»
AI DIRIGENTI DELL’URPE E DEL CIC
AI DIRIGENTI E MEMBRI DELLA
«CONFERENZA INTERNAZIONALE DELLE RIPARAZIONI TEDESCHE».

Cari Amici,

1. L’UIRD E LA «RESISTENZA» DEI PALESTINESI

Ho il piacere di diffondere insieme alla presente (allegato I) il testo concordato con i nostri compagni d’Israele per quanto concerne le attività dei terroristi palestinesi.

Il testo pone fine all’equivoco di cui eravate stati informati.

Dunque, se lo desiderate, può essere pubblicato come posizione ufficiale dell’UIRD.

2. PROSSIMO CONGRESSO DELL’UIRD.

Vi confermo inoltre che il prossimo congresso dell’UIRD si terrà a BERLINO OVEST, secondo il programma provvisorio accluso (allegato II), nel luglio 1974, in occasione del trentesimo anniversario dell’attentato a Hitler.

Sarà dedicato al tema della Resistenza e dell’Europa unita, e comporterà, sulla falsariga di quanto avvenuto nel 1972 a Royaumont:

1. una riunione a porte chiuse del Comitato degli esperti per la lotta contro il neonazismo (presidenza: Marie-Madeleine FOURCADE),

2. un Congresso dell’URPE, presieduto dal dott. Léon BOUTBIEN,

3. un’assemblea generale del Comitato Internazionale dei Campi (CIC), presieduta da Roland TEYSSANDIER.

4. una riunione della Commissione internazionale «Resistenza e Gioventù», presieduta da C.C. VAN DEN HEUVEL.

5. una riunione del Comitato Internazionale di Collegamento dei Sopravvissuti di Auschwitz, la cui presidenza collegiale è assunta dal prof. Leo EITINGER, da Hermann LANGBEIN e dal prof. Georges WELLERS.

Inoltre si darà alla «Conferenza internazionale sulle riparazioni tedesche», di recente costituzione, la possibilità di tenere le proprie sedute, garantendone la completa indipendenza tanto dall’UIRD quanto dal CIC, di cui essa non è un’emanazione.

È stato rivolto un invito al signor ministro Altiero SPINELLI, che durante la resistenza fu uno dei precursori del progetto europeo e oggi è membro della CEE, in nome della quale accetta di intervenire durante la sessione d’apertura.

Il prof. belga Henri BERNARD, specializzato nella Storia della resistenza tedesca ed ex partigiano, è stato allo stesso modo contattato per un omaggio ai tedeschi che sono insorti a rischio della vita contro il nazismo, e soprattutto alle vittime del 20 luglio.

Il Senato di Berlino Ovest, di cui saremo ospiti, si occuperà degli inviti alle autorità tedesche, fra le quali spiccano il presidente della Repubblica Gustav HEINEMANN e il cancelliere Willy BRANDT.

Vi prego di volermi restituire il modulo di partecipazione accluso alla presente (allegato III) con i vostri dati e, per quanto riguarda le associazioni dell’UIRD, con i dati dei delegati supplementari di cui propongono la partecipazione.

I biglietti di viaggio vi saranno recapitati dal «Deutsches Reisebüro Gmbh», Eschersheimer Landstrasse, 25-27 – 6. Frankfurt-am-Main.

Credete, cari Amici, nei miei migliori sentimenti.

Hubert HALIN,
Delegato generale.

Vienna, February 6, 1974

Mr.
Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Caro amico,

Your letter of January 14—for which I am truly grateful—made me very sad; we all would consider your input invaluable to the preparations for the January 1975 conference in Jerusalem. I can only hope that, in the meantime, the hectic demands of your professional field let up—after all, the oil crisis has now revealed itself as a problem perhaps better resolved by politicians than by chemists—so that you will be able to come to Berlin in July after all. Meanwhile, should that be the case, you will have received a form sent by Hubert Halin in Brussels,[1] so that you receive your flight tickets in time.

In any case, please let me know how likely it is that you will be able to make the trip.

I am also very grateful for your ongoing efforts regarding the potential translation of my book into Italian. Rest assured that my gratitude would in no way be diminished should your efforts not succeed.

I hope that you and yours are well, and I send my warmest regards. I remain, as ever,

Yours,

Langbein

HH/CC-113/74

1050 Bruxelles, January 21, 1974
28 Place Flagey

To Ms. HAUTVAL
To Messrs EITINGER, WELLERS
ADLER, KOSTA, and LEVI

Dear Friends,

Our Friend Hermann LANGBEIN asks me to send you the enclosed participation form concerning the next conference of UIRD in Berlin.

Arrangements have been made with Hermann LANGBEIN so that a meeting of the International Liaison Committee of Auschwitz survivors can take place on this occasion.

I suggest that the meeting take place starting on July 16^th in the afternoon.

The travel agency insists on knowing the list of participants as soon as possible.

I hope you will be kind enough to send me your form by the end of the month, and I thank you.

Best wishes, dear Friends.

Hubert HALIN,
General Delegate.

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF RESISTANCE
AND DEPORTEE MOVEMENTS (UIRD)
HH/CC-1834/73

BERLIN CONFERENCE OF JULY 1974

I, the undersigned (last name, first name) ……………

address ……………

will participate in the BERLIN Conference.

I wish to use the following means of transportation

TRAIN – BOAT – AIRPLANE (1)

I will arrive in Berlin on ……………

I will leave Berlin on ……………

Date ……………

Signature ……………

RETURN TO
HUBERT HALIN,
General Delegate of the UIRD
28 Place Flagey
1050 BRUXELLES.

(1) cross out the selections that do not apply.

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF RESISTANCE
AND DEPORTEE MOVEMENTS (UIRD)
HH/CC-1833/73

APPENDIX II

BERLIN CONFERENCE

Provisional Schedule

MONDAY JULY 15, 1974
– Arrival of the members of the UIRD Committee of Experts for the fight against neo-Nazism.
– 3 p.m.: meeting begins in the Kongress-Halle (room 2).

TUESDAY JULY 16, 1974
– 9 a.m.: meeting of the experts continues.
– during the day arrival of the other participants.
– 3 p.m.: press conference.
– 6 p.m.: official reception of participants in the Kongress-halle.

WEDNESDAY JULY 17, 1974
– 10 a.m.: in the Kongress-Halle – Academic opening session.
– 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.: lunch.
– 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: bus tour of Berlin.
– 8 p.m.: public discussion (podium).

THURSDAY JULY 18, 1974
– from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: meeting of the URPE, the CIC, the Commissions.
– 7 p.m.: reception hosted by the Senate at the Charlottenburg Palace.

FRIDAY JULY19, 1974
– 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: tour of the major Museums.
– in the evening: participation in the Commemoration of the assassination attempt of July 20^th.

SATURDAY JULY 20, 1974
– participation at the Plötzensee in the commemoration of the assassination attempt of July 20^th.
– in the afternoon = departure of the participants.

APPENDIX I[2]

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF RESISTANCE AND DEPORTEE MOVEMENTS (UIRD)
HH/CC-1831/73

JOINT DECLARATION OF THE LEADERS OF UIRD AND ITS ASSOCIATIONS IN ISRAEL.

The right of Resistance to any foreign occupation or any oppressive power is legitimate. But this right cannot be invoked by the Palestinians to justify their terrorist action against ISRAEL, while they reject all democratic possibilities of negotiation that are offered to them and pursue only a single goal: the complete destruction of the State of ISRAEL.

The Palestinians’ use of terrorism is even less defensible considering:
– that ISRAEL has reiterated that it is ready to engage anywhere and anytime without preconditions in direct negotiations for a fair settlement,
– that it does not claim any right – except concerning its security – over the territories that it currently administers,
– that within these territories, it leaves the inhabitants the freedom to administer themselves, to leave the country, to return, to receive relatives and friends coming from the most hostile countries, to express themselves freely, to read, watch or listen to the press, television or radio of their choice, even if they are most violently anti-Israel.

UIRD recalls as needed its declaration that was unanimously adopted at its conference in ROYAUMONT.

It expresses the hope that the peoples of the Middle East will refuse to continue being the stakes of economic and strategic rivalries between the superpowers, and invites them to seek to settle the conflict between the State of ISRAEL and the Arab world through appropriate negotiations.

It recalls that the normalization of the situation in the Middle East must essentially be achieved by the interested parties and that it must acknowledge the right of ISRAEL to exist as a sovereign State with borders that are secure, recognized, and guaranteed by all, as well as the settlement of the Palestinian problem.

HH/CC-1830/73

1050 Brussels, October 4, 1973
28 Place Flagey

TO ALL HEADS AND ASSOCIATIONS
OF THE UIRD
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL “RESISTANCE AND YOUTH” COMMISSION
TO THE HEADS OF THE URPE AND THE CIC
TO THE HEADS AND MEMBERS OF THE
“INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR GERMAN REPARATIONS”

Dear Friends,

1. THE UIRD AND THE “RESISTANCE” OF THE PALESTINIANS

I have the pleasure of asking you to find enclosed (appendix I) the text on which an agreement has been reached with our comrades in Israel regarding the activities of the Palestinian terrorists.

This text ends the misunderstanding of which you were informed.

It can therefore, if you wish, be published as the official position of the UIRD.

2. NEXT UIRD CONFERENCE.

I also confirm to you that the next UIRD conference will take place in WEST BERLIN, in accordance with the enclosed provisional schedule (appendix II), in July 1974, on the occasion of the 30^th anniversary of the assassination attempt against Hitler.

It will have the theme of the Resistance and united Europe and will include, as in 1972 at Royaumont:

1. a closed-door meeting of the Committee of Experts for the fight against neo-Nazism (presided by Marie-Madeleine FOURCADE),

2. a Conference of the URPE presided by Mr. Léon BOUTBIEN,

3. a general assembly of the International Committee of the Camps presided by Roland TEYSSANDIER.

4. a meeting of the International “Resistance and Youth” Commission presided by C.C. VAN DEN HEUVEL.

5. a meeting of the “International Liaison Committee for Auschwitz Survivors” jointly presided by Prof. Leo EITINGER, Hermann LANGBEIN, and Prof. Georges WELLERS.

The possibility will also be offered to the “International Conference for German Reparations” that was recently formed to hold its meeting while maintaining its complete independence from the UIRD and the CIC, of which it is not a branch.

An invitation has been addressed to Minister Altiero SPINELLI, who was one of the precursors of the European idea in the resistance and is today a member of the CEE, to ask him to speak at the opening session.

The Belgian professor Henri BERNARD, an expert in the history of the German resistance and a former resistance leader, has also been approached for an homage to the Germans who risked their lives to stand up to Nazism, particularly the victims of July 20^th.

The Senate of West Berlin whose guests we will be will handle invitations to the German authorities, including the esteemed guests the President of the Republic, Mr. Gustave HEINEMANN, and Chancellor Willy BRANDT.

I request that without delay you return to me the enclosed participation form (appendix III) concerning you and for the associations of the UIRD concerning the additional delegates you would like to participate.

The travel tickets will be sent through the “Deutsches Reisebüro Gmbh,” Eschersheimer Landstrasse, 25-27 – 6. Frankfurt-am-Main.

Best wishes, dear Friends.

Hubert HALIN,
General Delegate.

Wien, den 6. Feber 1974

Dott.
Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Caro amico,

Deine Antwort vom 14. 1. – für die ich mich recht bedanke – machte mich sehr traurig; denn wir alle würden besonderen Wert darauf legen, dass wir Deinen Rat bei der Vorbereitung der Tagung im Jänner 1975 in Jerusalem berücksichtigen können. Ich hoffe nur, dass sich inzwischen die Hektik auf Deinen Arbeitsgebiet etwas vermindert hat – die Ölkrise hat sich ja inzwischen als etwas entpuppt, was eher durch Politiker als durch Chemiker bekämpft werden könnte – und Du daher doch im Juli nach Berlin kommst. Aus Bruxelles hast Du ja inzwischen von Hubert Halin ein Formular erhalten,[1] damit in diesem Fall rechtzeitig die Flugkarte bei Dir ist.

Lass mich bitte jedenfalls wissen, wie es um Deine Reisemöglichkeiten steht.

Sehr dankbar bin ich Dir dafür, dass Du Dich noch immer weiter um eine Übersetzung meines Buches ins Italienische bemühst. Sei versichert, dass meine Dankbarkeit keinesfalls geringer wird, wenn auch diese Bemühungen fehlschlagen sollte.

Ich hoffe, dass es Dir und den Deinen gut geht und bleibe mit recht herzlichen Grüssen wie immer

Dein

Langbein

HH/CC-113/74

1050 Bruxelles, le 21 janvier 1974
28 place Flagey

A Madame le Dr HAUTVAL
A Messieurs le Dr EITINGER, WELLERS
ADLER, KOSTA et LEVI

Chers Amis,

Notre Ami Hermann LANGBEIN me prie de vous adresser le formulaire de participation ci-joint en ce qui concerne le prochain congrès de l’UIRD à Berlin.

Des dispositions ont été prises en accord avec Hermann LANGBEIN pour qu’une réunion du Comité international de liaison entre les anciens d’Auschwitz puisse se réunir à cette occasion.

Je suggère que la réunion se tienne dès le 16 juillet dans l’après-midi.

L’agence de voyage insiste pour connaître le plus rapidement possible la liste des participants.

J’espère qu’il vous plaira de me renvoyer votre formulaire pour la fin du mois et vous en remercie.

Croyez, chers Amis, à mes sentiments les meilleurs.

Hubert HALIN,
Délégué général.

UNION INTERNATIONALE DE LA RESISTANCE
ET DE LA DEPORTATION (UIRD)
HH/CC-1834/73

CONGRES DE BERLIN DE JUILLET 1974

Je soussigné (nom, prénom) ………….
adresse ………….
participerai au Congrès de BERLIN.

Je désire utiliser le moyen de transport suivant
TRAIN – BATEAU – AVION (1)

J’arriverai à Berlin le ………….
Je quitterai Berlin le ………….

Date ………….
Signature ………….

A RENVOYER A
HUBERT HALIN,
Délégué général de l’UIRD,
28 place Flagey
1050 BRUXELLES.

(1) biffer la mention inutile.

UNION INTERNATIONALE DE LA RESISTANCE
ET DE LA DEPORTATION (UIRD)
HH/CC-1833/73

ANNEXE II.

CONGRES DE BERLIN

Programme provisoire

LUNDI 15 JUILLET 1974

– Arrivée des membres du Comité des experts de l’UIRD pour la lutte contre le néo-nazisme.
– 15 H : début de la réunion à la Kongress-Halle (salle 2).

MARDI 16 JUILLET 1974

– 9 H : continuation de la réunion des experts.
– dans la journée arrivée des autres participants.
– 15 H : conférence de presse
– 18 H : réception officielle des participants à la Kongress-Halle.

MERCREDI 17 JUILLET 1974

– 10 H : à la Kongress-Halle – Séance académique d’ouverture
– 12 H à 14 H : repas de midi
– 14 H à 17 H : visite en cars de Berlin.
– 20 H : discussion publique (podium).

JEUDI 18 JUILLET 1974

– de 9 H 30 à 12 H et de 14 H à 17 H : réunion de l’URPE, du CIC, des Commissions.
– 19 H : réception offerte par le Sénat au Château de Charlottenburg.

VENDREDI 19 JUILLET 1974

– 10 H à 13 H : visite des principaux Musées.
– dans la soirée : participation à la Commémoration de l’attentat du 20 juillet.

SAMEDI 20 JUILLET 1974

– participation à la Plötzensee à la commémoration de l’attentat du 20 juillet.
– dans l’après-midi = départ des participants

ANNEXE I[2]

UNION INTERNATIONALE DE LA RESISTANCE ET DE LA DEPORTATION (UIRD)
HH/CC-1831/73

DECLARATION COMMUNE DES DIRIGEANTS DE L’UIRD ET DE SES ASSOCIATIONS D’ISRAEL.

Le droit à la Résistance contre toute occupation étrangère ou contre tout pouvoir oppresseur est légitime. Mais ce droit ne saurait être invoqué par les Palestiniens pour justifier leur action terroriste contre ISRAEL, alors qu’ils rejettent toutes les possibilités démocratiques de négociation qui leur sont offertes et ne poursuivent qu’un seul but: l’anéantissement total de l’Etat d’ISRAEL.

Le recours des Palestiniens au terrorisme est d’autant moins défendable:
– qu’ISRAEL ne cesse de répéter qu’il est prêt à engager n’importe où, à tout moment et sans préalable, des négociations directes pour un règlement équitable,
– qu’il ne s’arroge aucun droit – sauf pour ce qui est de sa sécurité – sur les territoires qu’il administre actuellement,
– qu’à l’intérieur de ces territoires, il laisse aux habitants la liberté de s’administrer eux-mêmes, de sortir du pays, d’y rentrer, d’y recevoir parents, amis venant des pays les plus hostiles, de s’exprimer librement, de lire, voir ou écouter la presse, la télévision ou la radio de leur choix, même si elles sont le plus violemment anti-israéliennes.

L’UIRD rappelle en tant que de besoin sa déclaration adoptée unanimement lors de son congrès de ROYAUMONT.

Elle souhaite que les peuples du Proche-Orient refusent d’être plus longtemps l’enjeu des rivalités économiques et stratégiques entre les Grandes puissances et les invite à rechercher à régler par des négociations appropriées, le conflit entre l’Etat d’ISRAEL et le monde arabe.

Elle rappelle que la normalisation de la situation au Proche-Orient doit être essentiellement l’oeuvre des parties intéressées et qu’elle doit consacrer le droit d’ISRAEL à l’existence comme Etat souverain disposant de frontières sûres, reconnues et garanties par tous, comme le réglement du problème palestinien.

HH/CC-1830/73

1050 Bruxelles, le 4 octobre 1973
28 place Flagey

A TOUS LES DIRIGEANTS ET ASSOCIATIONS
DE L’UIRD
AUX MEMBRES DU COMITE DES EXPERTS, DE LA COMMISSION INTERNATIONALE
«RESISTANCE ET JEUNESSE»
AUX DIRIGEANTS DE L’URPE ET DU CIC
AUX DIRIGEANTS ET MEMBRES DE LA
«CONFÉRENCE INTERNATIONALE DES RÉPARATIONS ALLEMANDES».

Chers Amis,

1. L’UIRD ET LA «RÉSISTANCE» DES PALESTINIENS

J’ai le plaisir de vous prier de trouver ci-joint (annexe I) le texte sur lequel un accord est intervenu avec nos camarades d’Israël à propos des activités des terroristes palestiniens.

Ce texte met fin au malentendu dont vous aviez été informés.

Il peut donc, si vous le souhaitez, être publié comme étant la position officielle de l’UIRD.

2. PROCHAIN CONGRES DE L’UIRD.

Je vous confirme par ailleurs que le prochain congrès de l’UIRD se tiendra à BERLIN-OUEST, selon le programme provisoire joint (annexe II), en juillet 1974, à l’occasion du 30ème anniversaire de l’attentat contre Hitler.

Il sera placé sous le thème de la Résistance et de l’Europe unie et comportera, comme il en fut en 1972 à Royaumont:

1. une réunion à huis clos du Comité des experts pour la lutte contre le néo-nazisme (présidence : Marie-Madeleine FOURCADE),

2. un Congrès de l’URPE que présidera le Dr Léon BOUTBIEN,

3. une assemblée générale du «Comité International des Camps» sous la présidence de Roland TEYSSANDIER.

4. une réunion de la Commission internationale «Résistance et Jeunesse» que présidera C.C. VAN DEN HEUVEL.

5. une réunion du «Comité international de liaison entre les survivants d’Auschwitz» dont la présidence collective est assumée par le Prof. Leo EITINGER, Hermann LANGBEIN et le Prof Georges WELLERS.

La possibilité sera également offerte à la «Conférence internationale sur les réparations allemandes» récemment constituée d’y tenir ses assises en gardant toute son indépendance à l’égard de l’UIRD, ou du CIC, dont elle n’est pas une émanation.

Une invitation a été adressée à M. le Ministre Altiero SPINELLI qui fut un des précurseurs de l’idée européenne dans la résistance et est aujourd’hui membre de la CEE, pour qu’il accepte de prendre la parole lors de la séance inaugurale.

Le Prof. belge Henri BERNARD, spécialiste de l’Histoire de la résistance allemande, ancien chef de réseau, a été également pressenti pour un hommage aux Allemands qui se sont dressés au péril de leur vie contre le nazisme, et spécialement aux victimes du 20 juillet.

Le Sénat de Berlin-Ouest dont nous serons l’hôte se chargera des invitations aux autorités allemandes parmi lesquelles figurent aux premières places M. le Président de la République, M. Gustave HEINEMANN et le Chancelier M. Willy BRANDT.

Je vous prie de vouloir bien sans attendre me renvoyer le formulaire de participation ci-joint (annexe III) vous concernant et pour ce qui est des associations de l’UIRD concernant les délégués supplémentaires dont elles souhaiteraient la participation.

Les billets de voyage seront envoyés par les soins du «Deutsches Reisebüro Gmbh», Eschersheimer Landstrasse, 25-27 – 6. Frankfurt-am-Main.

Croyez, chers Amis, à mes sentiments les meilleurs.

Hubert HALIN,
Délégué général.

Vienna, February 6, 1974

Mr.
Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Caro amico,

Your letter of January 14—for which I am truly grateful—made me very sad; we all would consider your input invaluable to the preparations for the January 1975 conference in Jerusalem. I can only hope that, in the meantime, the hectic demands of your professional field let up—after all, the oil crisis has now revealed itself as a problem perhaps better resolved by politicians than by chemists—so that you will be able to come to Berlin in July after all. Meanwhile, should that be the case, you will have received a form sent by Hubert Halin in Brussels,[1] so that you receive your flight tickets in time.

In any case, please let me know how likely it is that you will be able to make the trip.

I am also very grateful for your ongoing efforts regarding the potential translation of my book into Italian. Rest assured that my gratitude would in no way be diminished should your efforts not succeed.

I hope that you and yours are well, and I send my warmest regards. I remain, as ever,

Yours,

Langbein

HH/CC-113/74

1050 Bruxelles, January 21, 1974
28 Place Flagey

To Ms. HAUTVAL
To Messrs EITINGER, WELLERS
ADLER, KOSTA, and LEVI

Dear Friends,

Our Friend Hermann LANGBEIN asks me to send you the enclosed participation form concerning the next conference of UIRD in Berlin.

Arrangements have been made with Hermann LANGBEIN so that a meeting of the International Liaison Committee of Auschwitz survivors can take place on this occasion.

I suggest that the meeting take place starting on July 16^th in the afternoon.

The travel agency insists on knowing the list of participants as soon as possible.

I hope you will be kind enough to send me your form by the end of the month, and I thank you.

Best wishes, dear Friends.

Hubert HALIN,
General Delegate.

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF RESISTANCE
AND DEPORTEE MOVEMENTS (UIRD)
HH/CC-1834/73

BERLIN CONFERENCE OF JULY 1974

I, the undersigned (last name, first name) ……………

address ……………

will participate in the BERLIN Conference.

I wish to use the following means of transportation

TRAIN – BOAT – AIRPLANE (1)

I will arrive in Berlin on ……………

I will leave Berlin on ……………

Date ……………

Signature ……………

RETURN TO
HUBERT HALIN,
General Delegate of the UIRD
28 Place Flagey
1050 BRUXELLES.

(1) cross out the selections that do not apply.

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF RESISTANCE
AND DEPORTEE MOVEMENTS (UIRD)
HH/CC-1833/73

APPENDIX II

BERLIN CONFERENCE

Provisional Schedule

MONDAY JULY 15, 1974
– Arrival of the members of the UIRD Committee of Experts for the fight against neo-Nazism.
– 3 p.m.: meeting begins in the Kongress-Halle (room 2).

TUESDAY JULY 16, 1974
– 9 a.m.: meeting of the experts continues.
– during the day arrival of the other participants.
– 3 p.m.: press conference.
– 6 p.m.: official reception of participants in the Kongress-halle.

WEDNESDAY JULY 17, 1974
– 10 a.m.: in the Kongress-Halle – Academic opening session.
– 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.: lunch.
– 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: bus tour of Berlin.
– 8 p.m.: public discussion (podium).

THURSDAY JULY 18, 1974
– from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: meeting of the URPE, the CIC, the Commissions.
– 7 p.m.: reception hosted by the Senate at the Charlottenburg Palace.

FRIDAY JULY19, 1974
– 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: tour of the major Museums.
– in the evening: participation in the Commemoration of the assassination attempt of July 20^th.

SATURDAY JULY 20, 1974
– participation at the Plötzensee in the commemoration of the assassination attempt of July 20^th.
– in the afternoon = departure of the participants.

APPENDIX I[2]

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF RESISTANCE AND DEPORTEE MOVEMENTS (UIRD)
HH/CC-1831/73

JOINT DECLARATION OF THE LEADERS OF UIRD AND ITS ASSOCIATIONS IN ISRAEL.

The right of Resistance to any foreign occupation or any oppressive power is legitimate. But this right cannot be invoked by the Palestinians to justify their terrorist action against ISRAEL, while they reject all democratic possibilities of negotiation that are offered to them and pursue only a single goal: the complete destruction of the State of ISRAEL.

The Palestinians’ use of terrorism is even less defensible considering:
– that ISRAEL has reiterated that it is ready to engage anywhere and anytime without preconditions in direct negotiations for a fair settlement,
– that it does not claim any right – except concerning its security – over the territories that it currently administers,
– that within these territories, it leaves the inhabitants the freedom to administer themselves, to leave the country, to return, to receive relatives and friends coming from the most hostile countries, to express themselves freely, to read, watch or listen to the press, television or radio of their choice, even if they are most violently anti-Israel.

UIRD recalls as needed its declaration that was unanimously adopted at its conference in ROYAUMONT.

It expresses the hope that the peoples of the Middle East will refuse to continue being the stakes of economic and strategic rivalries between the superpowers, and invites them to seek to settle the conflict between the State of ISRAEL and the Arab world through appropriate negotiations.

It recalls that the normalization of the situation in the Middle East must essentially be achieved by the interested parties and that it must acknowledge the right of ISRAEL to exist as a sovereign State with borders that are secure, recognized, and guaranteed by all, as well as the settlement of the Palestinian problem.

HH/CC-1830/73

1050 Brussels, October 4, 1973
28 Place Flagey

TO ALL HEADS AND ASSOCIATIONS
OF THE UIRD
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL “RESISTANCE AND YOUTH” COMMISSION
TO THE HEADS OF THE URPE AND THE CIC
TO THE HEADS AND MEMBERS OF THE
“INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR GERMAN REPARATIONS”

Dear Friends,

1. THE UIRD AND THE “RESISTANCE” OF THE PALESTINIANS

I have the pleasure of asking you to find enclosed (appendix I) the text on which an agreement has been reached with our comrades in Israel regarding the activities of the Palestinian terrorists.

This text ends the misunderstanding of which you were informed.

It can therefore, if you wish, be published as the official position of the UIRD.

2. NEXT UIRD CONFERENCE.

I also confirm to you that the next UIRD conference will take place in WEST BERLIN, in accordance with the enclosed provisional schedule (appendix II), in July 1974, on the occasion of the 30^th anniversary of the assassination attempt against Hitler.

It will have the theme of the Resistance and united Europe and will include, as in 1972 at Royaumont:

1. a closed-door meeting of the Committee of Experts for the fight against neo-Nazism (presided by Marie-Madeleine FOURCADE),

2. a Conference of the URPE presided by Mr. Léon BOUTBIEN,

3. a general assembly of the International Committee of the Camps presided by Roland TEYSSANDIER.

4. a meeting of the International “Resistance and Youth” Commission presided by C.C. VAN DEN HEUVEL.

5. a meeting of the “International Liaison Committee for Auschwitz Survivors” jointly presided by Prof. Leo EITINGER, Hermann LANGBEIN, and Prof. Georges WELLERS.

The possibility will also be offered to the “International Conference for German Reparations” that was recently formed to hold its meeting while maintaining its complete independence from the UIRD and the CIC, of which it is not a branch.

An invitation has been addressed to Minister Altiero SPINELLI, who was one of the precursors of the European idea in the resistance and is today a member of the CEE, to ask him to speak at the opening session.

The Belgian professor Henri BERNARD, an expert in the history of the German resistance and a former resistance leader, has also been approached for an homage to the Germans who risked their lives to stand up to Nazism, particularly the victims of July 20^th.

The Senate of West Berlin whose guests we will be will handle invitations to the German authorities, including the esteemed guests the President of the Republic, Mr. Gustave HEINEMANN, and Chancellor Willy BRANDT.

I request that without delay you return to me the enclosed participation form (appendix III) concerning you and for the associations of the UIRD concerning the additional delegates you would like to participate.

The travel tickets will be sent through the “Deutsches Reisebüro Gmbh,” Eschersheimer Landstrasse, 25-27 – 6. Frankfurt-am-Main.

Best wishes, dear Friends.

Hubert HALIN,
General Delegate.