German conservative warns foreigners to adapt

By Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - A top conservative from Chancellor Angela Merkel's party warned immigrants on Thursday they must adapt to the German way of life or face "consequences".

Roland Koch, premier of the prosperous western state of Hesse, is focusing on law-and-order themes in a bid to win a third term in a regional vote this month.

Koch outraged immigrant groups earlier this week when he accused foreigners of fuelling youth crime in Germany and he stepped up his rhetoric in top-selling conservative daily Bild.

"In areas where there are a high number of immigrants there must be clear rules and of course consequences if they are not respected," Koch wrote in a column in which he called for more respect, discipline and politeness in German society.

"German must be the language in everyday life and it must be clear that the slaughtering (of animals) in the kitchen or strange ideas about waste disposal are at odds with our principles."

When asked what Koch meant by his comments on waste disposal, a spokesman said: "There are people that dispose of their trash differently than the rest of us.

"People who read this will know what he is talking about. The trash is just thrown anywhere."

The debate on youth crime was sparked over the Christmas holidays when surveillance cameras in a Munich train station caught two youths -- one Greek, one Turkish -- beating a German pensioner.

German televisions stations have been broadcasting video of the attack for more than a week and politicians have reacted with calls for tougher sentencing, boot camps and even the deportation of criminals with foreign roots.

IMMIGRANT GROUPS

Merkel, who came to power two years ago vowing to improve the integration of immigrant groups, has remained silent on the issue although her spokesman told reporters on Wednesday she viewed the debate over youth crime as worthwhile and necessary.

Germany is home to about 15 million people with an immigrant background, including some 3.2 million Muslims, the majority of whom are of Turkish origin.

Some settled in Germany decades ago, speak the language and are well-integrated. Others live in tight, relatively isolated communities where traditions from their countries of origin still play an important role.

Unemployment and poverty rates are higher in Germany's immigrant communities than in the general population, but no data exist that suggest crimes by foreigners are on the rise.

Statistics from the Federal Crime Office (BKA) show crimes committed by non-Germans as a percentage of total crimes have declined steadily from 34 percent in 1993 to 22 percent in 2006.