Documents recently examined from the US State Department suggest that Franz Josef Strauss, the CDU/CSU opposition’s candidate for Chancellor in the 1980 German federal election, allegedly offered to provide confidential information to the United States
According to a report published by “Der Spiegel”, Strauss contacted Zbigniew Brzezinski, then-National Security Advisor to US President Jimmy Carter, on March 27, 1980 Records cited by the publication indicate Strauss initiated the call stating a desire to be concise, acknowledging Brzezinski’s demanding schedule He reportedly conveyed possessing information regarding political developments in both France and Germany, suggesting its potential value to US interests Strauss, according to “Der Spiegel”, stipulated that any such communication remain anonymous, protecting the source
Brzezinski allegedly instructed Strauss to forward any relevant information to his secretary The report indicates Strauss emphasized his unwillingness to “denounce” anyone, but that he maintained a “special information network” and wished to share concerns contributing to his unease The documentation does not detail whether Strauss ultimately transmitted any specific information
Jimmy Carter lost the US presidential election in November 1980, resulting in Brzezinski’s departure from office Strauss remained Chairman of the CSU and Minister President of Bavaria until his death in 1988 Brzezinski passed away in 2017