Chancellor Merkel: Remembering the fifth anniversary of September 11, 2001

Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel issued the following statement today (11 September 2006) to mark the 5th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in the US:

11 September 2001 shocked the world. More than 3,000 people lost their lives as a result of cynical and heinous terrorist acts on an unprecedented scale. That day brought untold suf­fering to the families and friends of the victims. Many wounds have still not healed. On this 5th anniversary, the thoughts of the German people are with all of those who were struck by personal tragedy that day.

11 September 2001 also changed the world. It brought home to us that the world is facing new asymmetrical threats; threats which make it more difficult than ever to separate internal from external security.

We can only counter these threats if we work together. Our actions in this endeavour are based on close cooperation with our partners in the European Union, the transatlantic alliance and the United Nations.

Our fight against Islamist terrorism will only succeed if we strengthen democratic and eco­nomic development in the relevant crisis regions and ensure greater respect for human rights. Events in Afghanistan have shown that military means may be unavoidable in individual cases. However, even the fight against terrorism cannot justify any means. Our actions should be guided not just by determination and international solidarity but also by international law, tolerance, as well as respect for other cultures.

September 11, 2006

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