19.05.2007

Federal Minister Steinmeier on the suicide bombing in Afghanistan

Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued today (19.05.) the following statement on the suicide bombing of German soldiers in Kunduz, Afghanistan:

"I was profoundly shocked and grieved by the news of today's brutal terror attack in the north of Afghanistan that has claimed the lives of German soldiers and Afghan civilians and injured many others. In this difficult time our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with all those who have lost loved ones. They can be assured of our support. We wish all those who have been injured a full and speedy recovery.

With their callous act the perpetrators are aiming to destroy the hard-won order the Afghans have achieved since 2001. Without this basis the country would once again be plunged into violence and civil war.

This attack is a further demonstration that supposedly trouble-free or safe areas in Afghanistan do not exist. The mission the Federal Armed Forces has assumed in the north of Afghanistan is a crucial contribution to stabilizing the whole country.The support provided by the international community is intended to enable the Afghans to take responsibility themselves for their security. That is what those hostile to the building of a new Afghanistan fear. They want to sabotage this process through violence."

• Afghanistan

Further information

Further information

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