COL. AMEN: What was Weygand doing at this time?
LAHOUSEN: Weygand was, so far as I recall, in North Africa at that time.
COL. AMEN: What was the reason given for attempting to kill Weygand?
LAHOUSEN: The reason given was the fear that Weygand together with the unconquered part of the French Army might form a center of resistance in North Africa. That, in the main, was the reason, as far as I remember today; it may be that there were other contributing factors.
COL. AMEN: After you were so informed by Canaris, what else was said at this meeting?
LAHOUSEN: This request which was first put to the military Abwehr so openly and in such an undisguised form by a representative of the Armed Forces, was decidedly and indignantly rejected by all those present. I, myself, as the person most involved, since my division was expected to carry out this task, indicated flatly before all present that I had not the slightest intention of executing this order. My division and my officers are prepared to fight but they are neither a murderers’ organization nor murderers.
COL. AMEN: What then did Canaris say?
LAHOUSEN: Canaris said: “Calm down. We’ll have a word together later,” or something to that effect.
COL. AMEN: Did you then talk it over later with Canaris?
LAHOUSEN: When the other gentlemen had left the room, I spoke with Canaris alone and he told me immediately: “It is quite obvious that this order will not only not be carried out, but it will not even be communicated to anybody else,” and that, in fact, happened.