BERLIN - Germany's top security official wants to prevent the World Cup from
being used as a platform by extremists intent on spreading their "abhorrent
thoughts."
Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said Monday federal and state officials
have worked for months with organizers to ensure that the monthlong tournament
that begins June 9 is not marred by hooligans, neo-Nazis or others.
"We will not tolerate any form of extremism, xenophobia or anti-Semitism,"
Schaeuble said after presenting an annual report on security threats and crime
by Germany's domestic intelligence agency.
Schaeuble's remarks came amid heightened concern after several attacks on
dark-skinned people in Germany — most recently a Turkish-born state lawmaker who
was hit on the head with a bottle by two men in Berlin last weekend.
"We will do everything in our power to prevent the soccer World Cup from
being used by extremist organizations to spread their abhorrent thoughts,"
Schaeuble said.
The report showed an increase in violence by sympathizers of Germany's
far-right fringe, with acts of violence committed by far-right extremists rising
to 958 last year from 776 the previous year.
The recent attacks have triggered a debate on whether parts of the country,
particularly in former East Germany, have become too dangerous for dark-skinned
Germans and World Cup visitors.
"There are no areas where visitors should have reason to feel unsafe,"
Schaeuble said. "We are confident that our security measures are sufficient to
provide for all the guests, and we will see them through."
Schaeuble said his ministry planned a campaign in schools aimed at teaching
the importance of tolerance. There will also be discussions about alternatives —
such as more sports programs — for teenage boys, who studies show are most
liable to be drawn to neo-Nazis.
The report also shows a slight increase in memberships of Islamic
organizations deemed extremist, to 32,100 from 31,800. Schaeuble said there has
been no easing in the threat of international terrorism, although Germany has
been spared a major attack.
"The fight against international terrorism is the largest challenge for
security policies in our time," Schaeuble said. "Germany is part of a worldwide
endangered area that remains in the spectrum of targets for Islamic terrorists."
He did not say whether authorities believed there was any heightened risk of
such an attack during the World Cup.
