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"The Norwegian people have our full support," declares the Chancellor
Sat, 23.07.2011
Photo: RegierungOnline/Kugler
"Our thoughts are with the victims"
Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed her deepest sympathy for the people of Norway. Her thoughts, she said, are with those who mourn the victims of this terrible crime. "The peace of this democratic nation has been rent asunder by an act of hatred," said the Chancellor.
The Chancellor condemned the "terrible crime" which was apparently motivated by hatred. This hatred is our common enemy, declared Angela Merkel. "Hatred against what is different, what is felt to be alien". We who "believe in liberty, respect and peaceful coexistence," must counter hatred, she added.
Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle too was deeply shocked. He spoke of a "barbaric attack" and inhuman acts. Germany will stand by Norway at this time, he said.
More than 90 lives were lost yesterday and many more people injured in a bomb blast in the government district of Oslo and the subsequent bloodbath in a youth camp on the Island of Utoeya close to Oslo.
