BERLIN (dpa) – Germany’s Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is urging fellow Germans to support the fight against international terrorism.
In a New Year’s message, Mr. Schroeder says Germany can no longer stand on the sidelines of world developments, such as the September terror attacks on the United States. He says Germany was long dependent on U.S. support during the Cold War and now must repay that debt by taking on a greater role in global affairs.
A recent decision by Germany to send troops to Afghanistan to serve with a new international security force, has drawn domestic criticism.
Mr. Schroeder pledged that German security and safety from terrorism remains his administration’s top priority. The Chancellor also urged Germans to embrace the new euro, being introduced on New Year’s Day. Many Germans have been sceptical about Europe’s single new currency, saying the trusted German mark is associated with good economic times.
On the domestic front, Mr. Schroeder said preserving jobs and creating new ones will be a top priority for his administration in 2002.
