German Security Report

On Monday, German Interior Minister Otto Schily released the annual security analysis by the German domestic intelligence agency. It states that Germany is likely to become a target for terrorism as opposed to just being a staging spot for attacks in other countries.

The greatest danger is posed by radical Muslims, the report says. "Islamists identify Germany with the so-called crusaders, the helpers of the United States and Israel, and with its support of Afghanistan," the report says. In Afghanistan, German troops are part of the International Security Assistance Force trying to stabilize the country after the fall of the Taliban.

But the report says such extremists make up only about 1 percent of the 3 million Muslims living in Germany. It counted 24 Islamic groups in Germany with a total membership of 30,950, compared with 30,600 in 2002.

The perceived elevated threat level has many government officials concerned that security is too lax even as federal talks are underway in writing Germany's first immigration law. It seems that actions are being considered which are similar to those taken by the US after September 11th, only without the immediacy.

Since the radical Muslims have shown a hatred for everybody, it's foolish for any country not to prepare for the worst. Avoiding is much preferable to experiencing a major terrorist attack.