Secretary-General and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder at Security Council stakeout

The Chancellor and I have had very good discussions on the issue of terrorism, the activities in Afghanistan, and the international effort to defeat this scourge. We also spoke about the situation in the Middle East, and the need to do whatever we can to find a political solution to the crisis there. We spoke about the role of the United Nations and the grave humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, and the need for the international community to make a sustained effort, both material, financial and otherwise, to help the people in Afghanistan. And I was able to thank the Chancellor for the generosity, and the cooperation and the contribution we've had from the German Government and people as we deal with the situation in Afghanistan and in the region.

Mr. Chancellor.

Chancellor Schroeder: [Translation from German] I'd like first to comment and express my deepest respect, in fact, not only for what the United Nations as such has achieved, but also for the Secretary-General's role in person, and the attitude that they have shown ever since the 11th of September. I think we cannot praise enough both resolutions taken -- 1368 and 1373. One just needs to emphasize this time and again. It shows that change is being brought about in international people's law here. And I would also like to emphasize the fact that the Secretary-General has indeed mentioned to bring the General Assembly, very quickly so, to a joint position which yet again shows that we have indeed started the fight against terrorism right now and here. We have also, and this has been specifically important for me, we have been able to show that the fight against terrorism is not only one that is based on the action taken now. It will not only be pursued by political means and military ones, but obviously we find it specifically important that there is a strong humanitarian element to it. We would very much like to envisage Germany supporting, helping with the gigantic refugee problem, we unfortunately shall be running into soon. And we have also talked about the fact that Germany might have an increased role in trying to influence the neighbour states in the region to support the process and maintain a constructive stance. *****