Cablegate: Baden-Wuerttemberg Minister of Interior Thomas

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS FRANKFURT 001051

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL GM
SUBJECT: BADEN-WUERTTEMBERG MINISTER OF INTERIOR THOMAS
SCHAEUBLE CONCERNED OVER INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME

1. (SBU) Summary: In a meeting with the Consul General on
January 29, Baden-Wuerttemberg (B-W) Minister of Interior,
Dr. Thomas Schaeuble (CDU) expressed his regret over anti-
American statements in recent election campaigns. On
terrorism, Schaeuble is concerned about a lack of
cooperation from the Muslim community in B-W. The B-W
police have seen a significant increase in violent crime
committed by ethnic Germans. Schaeuble complained about
leaks of sensitive information, which hinders closer
cooperation with foreign intelligence services. End
Summary.

2. (SBU) Minister Schaeuble regretted the anti-American
rhetoric in the Social Democratic Party's (SPD) election
campaigns in Hesse and Lower Saxony. He noted that there
has always been a certain amount of anti-Americanism in
Germany but that the national government should refrain from
such statements. Cooperation in southwest between the U.S.
military and the B-W police has always been excellent,
Schauble said.

3. (SBU) On internal security, Schaeuble sees an "abstract
threat potential" in Germany. Germany has a large Muslim
community and some members are criminals. There are about
three million Muslims living in Germany, and three to four
hundred thousand in B-W. About 50 Muslims in B-W are
considered dangerous. According to Schaeuble, the lack of
integration of the Muslim community into the German
population creates tensions. He described Turkish
communities as a "state within a state." It is almost
impossible for police authorities to penetrate and observe
Muslim groups. These communities provide excellent hiding
spaces for potential terrorists. He also regretted that the
Muslim community has not provided any tips to police to help
find and arrest potential terrorists. Schaeuble noted that
this reflects badly on law-abiding Muslims. Most arrests
have come from tips from allied intelligence and law
enforcement services. Schaeuble added that he wishes that
U.S. intelligence agencies would be more willing to share
information. On the other hand, he admitted that frequent
leaks from German authorities to the media are not helpful.

4. (SBU) Schaeuble also described ethnic Germans as a
problem. Drug trafficking and the increased brutality of
crimes are his biggest concern. However, there is no
evidence of links between ethnic Germans and the Russian
mafia. Schaeuble pointed out that similar to the Muslim
communities, ethnic Germans and young people in particular,
show limited interest in playing an active role in German
communities.

BODDE

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