May 30, 1969

Mr

Prof Dr Martin Heidegger

Rötebockweg 47

78 Freiburg im Breisgau

Dear Professor,

I have completed a new manuscript concerning the problem of forgiveness and would like to briefly describe its contents to you.

In June 1942, a young SS man lying in agony confessed his crimes to me. He could only die in peace, he told me, if a Jew had forgiven him. I felt compelled to deny him this mercy. Later, I discussed this incident with my concentration camp comrades a lot. After the liberation, I visited the young Nazi's mother, but I didn't have the courage to tell her the truth about her son.

As I couldn't get this experience out of my mind, I decided to write it down. At the end of the manuscript, I ask the question that still deserves an answer today because of its political, philosophical and religious implications: Did I do the right or wrong thing back then?

I decided to pose this question directly to personalities from various countries whose opinions I value highly. So far I have received statements from Stefan Andres, Albrecht Goes, Prof. Friedrich Heer, Prof. Gollwitzer, Dr Niemöller, Federal President Dr Heinemann, Carl Zuckmayer, Salvador de Madariaga, Gabriel Marcel, René Cassin, Manès Sperber, Primo Levi, Hans-Werner Richter, Luise Rinser, Golo Mann, Hermann Kesten, Herbert Marcuse, Dr Kempner, and many others; most recently I received the statement from President Senghor. Rolf Hochhuth and Arthur Koestler have promised statements. These are between four and six pages long.

I am taking the liberty of sending you the manuscript of "The Sunflower" by the same post and asking you, if your time permits, to read it and send me your comments.

While awaiting your esteemed reply, I remain

with the highest consideration

(Simon Wiesenthal Dipl. Ing.)

Nov. 17, 1969

Mr

Prof Dr Martin Heidegger

Rötebockweg 47

D-78 Freiburg im Breisgau

Dear Professor,

Allow me to remind you of my letter of 30 May, in which I asked you for your opinion on my story "DIE SONNENBLUME".

Time is now pressing, because the German edition of my book is due. The publisher gave me the end of November as the final deadline for submitting comments.

The book has already been published in France, Norway, Denmark and Holland, fortunately with considerable success. Both the topic and the accompanying contributions from the personalities who kindly gave me their opinions for publication have sparked numerous, extremely interesting discussions.

I sincerely hope that you will be able to fulfil my request and remain

with kind regards

Your

[not signed]

Martin Heidegger

Freiburg i. Br.-Zähringen

Rötebuck 47

eingelangt

Nov. 24, 1969

Dear Mr Dipl.Ing. Wiesenthal,

I am sorry that I am unable to fulfil your request to evaluate your story "The Sunflower". I am constantly receiving work on a wide variety of subjects, in which I am asked to comment. I definitely have to decline all these requests because, at my advanced age, I have to devote the time and energy I have left to my own work. I ask for your understanding for this decision.

Yours sincerely

M. Heidegger

[handwritten signature]