Germany goes onto high alert after US attacks

Agence France-Presse (via ClariNet) ^ | 11-Sep-2001

[Gumption]

Germany goes onto high alert after US attacks
Tuesday, 11-Sep-2001 10:40AM		Story from AFP Copyright 2001 by Agence France-Presse (via ClariNet)

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BERLIN, GERMANY, 11-SEP-2001: An armoured police vehicle is parked in front of the US embassy in Berlin September 11, 2001 after plane attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington earlier today. [Photo by Michael Jung, copyright 2001 by AFP and ClariNet] </CLARI-ITEM CAPTION>

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BERLIN, Sept 11 (AFP) - German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder called a meeting of the federal security council Tuesday after terrorist attacks in the United States and said that the German people stand by the United States.

An interior ministry spokesman said all German administrations were "on the highest alert" and that there was a crisis meeting taking place to coordinate security measures in Germany.

Officials said security was being reinforced at US buildings, such as the embassy, in the German capital.

The federal security council is made up of the chancellor as well as the defense, foreign, economy, finance, interior, justice, development and chancellery ministers.

Schroeder said in a message to US President George W. Bush that: "The German people stand in these difficult hours by the side of the United States of America."

"We have learned with horror about the deplorable terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and on the Pentagon in Washington, in which so many people have lost their lives," Schroeder said.

"I want to express to you and the US people my heartfelt sympathy and my unlimited solidarity," Schroeder said in his message to Bush.

Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer is "horrified and shocked" by the apparent terrorist attacks in the United States, officials in his ministry said.

Fischer went immediately to meet with Schroeder for a crisis session after the incidents, including two planes crashing into the World Trade Center in New York.

The German lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, suspended its debate on Germany's 2002 budget Thursday in sympathy after the spate of attacks.

"We should not act as if we could just continue the debate," the acting speaker Anke Fuchs said.

Meanwhile, the US embassy in Berlin and US armed forces in Germany both declined to comment on what if any measures they were taking.

Germany halted all plane departures to the United States after two planes crashed into the twin towers of New York's landmark World Trade Center, the German aviation authority said.

The German stock market said it was suspending all trading in US shares, initially for one hour, following the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

"All trading in US shares has initially been suspended for an hour from 4:30 pm (1430 GMT)," a spokesman for the exchange said.

"All other trading will continue as normal."

The blue-chip DAX 30 index plunged on Tuesday afternoon, tracking US futures markets, after the attacks began. </CLARI-ITEM STORY>

[Gumption]

Thank you Germany. Now we should test your "unlimited solidarity".

[Gumption]

Peres calls for fight "without compromise" against terrorism
Tuesday, 11-Sep-2001 11:20AM		Story from AFP Copyright 2001 by Agence France-Presse (via ClariNet)

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JERUSALEM, Sept 11 (AFP) - Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said the world must "fight without compromise" against terrorism after the unprecedented attacks that rocked the United States Tuesday, Israeli public radio reported.

[phothus]

I think our long-range bombers could certainly use stopping off points in Europe or at least air space rights in Europe.

[Gumption]

I would be satisfied if our European "friends" would (will) withhold the cries of "loose cannon" when we go about the business of avenging the mass murder of thousands of defenseless United States citizens. Allowing our planes to fly over their precious territory would just be icing on the cake.

[nkycincinnatikid]

When the civilized nations on the front lines of the middle east finally reacted firmly against the state sponsored political terrorism and assasination afflicting them in 1914, I think they would have been likewise satisfied.

[Gumption]

What are you talking about? Please elaborate.