Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Opposition in Bonn OKs asylum limits Date: Tue, 17 Nov 92 15:07:56 EST Message-ID: \SE A;WORLD \SS (WS) \HD Opposition in Bonn OKs asylum limits \BY ASSOCIATED PRESS \DT BONN, Germany BONN, Germany (AP) - Bowing to public pressure and hoping to defuse threats from the radical right, the opposition Social Democrats early today endorsed the first changes to asylum guarantees in Germany's constitution. Delegates at the Social Democrats' special convention backed their leaders' proposal to refuse entry to asylum-seekers not facing political persecution at home or those who enter Germany from a "safe" third country, such as Austria. The latter group includes many Eastern Europeans. Social Democratic approval of changes will provide the vital two-thirds majority in the parliament necessary to amend the asylum portion of Germany's 1949 constitution. Both Chancellor Helmut Kohl and the Social Democrats believe that government action to reduce the flood of refugees entering Germany - some 500,000 are expected this year - will help defang rightist fanatics who have launched 1,600 attacks this year, 11 of them fatal. But the changes approved by the Social Democrats fall short of changes demanded by Mr. Kohl, and it could be weeks before a compromise is reached and put into effect. The changes, marking a major reversal in policy for the Social Democrats, were approved by a huge majority of the 438 delegates by a show of hands. For months, the party had resisted tinkering with Germany's asylum policies, among the most liberal in the world. Some party members remained unconvinced. "A nation whose fascist ruler not so long ago exterminated minorities . . . will not encounter worldwide sympathy by saying that the boat is full," said delegate Michael Naumann. But party leader Bjoern Engholm said Germany's asylum rules were incapable of coping with a record influx of refugees and with anti-foreigner sentiments that have surfaced in its wake. ****BOX GERMAN ASYLUM SEEKERS Laws and benefits Laws: Germany has some of the world's most liberal asylum policies, based on the 1949 constitution, which make it possible for anyone to enter the country and claim political asylum. The provision was partially in response to Germany's killing of Jews and foreigners during World War II. Numbers: This year, about 370,000 foreigners have sought asylum, with a total of 500,000 expected by year's end. That is a nearly fivefold increase over the 103,076 who did so in 1988. Benefits: Asylum seekers receive free housing and meals at state-run shelters, $64 per month for other living costs for the head of family and $32 to $51 for each additional family member, depending on age. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM