COMPLETE COVERAGE | FRONT LINES | AMERICA AT HOME | INTERACTIVES »

Ashcroft hails German terror moves

Ashcroft said new German laws were helping the war on terrorism

BERLIN, Germany -- A new German law allowing authorities to ban religious groups used as fronts for terrorists has been praised by U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.

Ashcroft, on the latest leg of his European tour, said the move was necessary in the war on terrorism.

The law came into force on December 8 amid concerns that officials were being hampered in efforts to crackdown on terrorists by strict laws protecting religious freedoms.

On Wednesday, German Interior Minister Otto Schily banned an Islamic organization he accused of being a "breeding ground for terrorists," and saying the legislation could lead to the expulsion of many extremists who have been granted asylum in Germany.

CNN.COM SPECIAL REPORT  CNN NewsPass Video  Agencies reportedly got hijack tips in 1998  MORE STORIES Intelligence intercept led to Buffalo suspects Report cites warnings before 9/11  EXTRA INFORMATION Timeline: Who Knew What and When? Interactive: Terror Investigation Terror Warnings System Most wanted terrorists What looks suspicious? In-Depth: America Remembers In-Depth: Terror on Tape In-Depth: How prepared is your city?  RESOURCES On the Scene: Barbara Starr: Al Qaeda hunt expands? On the Scene: Peter Bergen: Getting al Qaeda to talk

"We commend Germany for its actions to provide greater opportunity to detect and disrupt terrorism through a better framework of laws in Germany," Ashcroft said after meeting with Schily, The Associated Press reported.

U.S. and German authorities believe the September 11 attacks were planned by a terrorist cell of Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network in the German city of Hamburg.

The German government has passed an even broader anti-terrorism package that will come into effect on January 1.

The new laws will allow officials to request information from financial institutions, telecommunications companies, and airlines -- all of which was previously prohibited under the country's data protection statute.

The plan also makes it easier to deport foreign extremists living in Germany, allows for the addition of biometrics -- such as a fingerprint -- to passports and identity documents, and allows for the addition of sky marshals on flights.

Ashcroft has visited the UK, Spain, Italy and Germany on his trip.

In Rome he met Italian Justice Minister Roberto Castelli at the U.S. ambassador's residence. He plans to meet Italian Interior Minister Claudio Scajola on Saturday.