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Berlin silent on apparent aid workers` withdrawal from Iraq

IRNA

Berlin, Nov 19, IRNA -- A German Interior Ministry spokesman Wednesday
refused to comment on a newspaper report which alleged that German aid
workers had been withdrawn from Iraq following a dramatic 
deterioration of that country`s security. 
"The known security situation (in Iraq) does not allow me at the 
moment to give any information," said the spokesperson, Daniel 
Hoeltgen at a news conference. 
The official was referring to a report in Wednesday`s issue of the
daily Bild which quoted German government circles as saying that 
Iraq-based German technical workers who have been in charge of 
restoring water purification plants, have been pulled out of the 
war-stricken country for now. 
German officials cited Iraq`s `tense security condition` as the 
reason for the workers` withdrawal. 
Germany had sent earlier this month its elite anti-terror commando
GSG-9 to Iraq in an effort to safeguard the four German relief workers
in Iraq. 
Berlin has repeatedly voiced `great concern` over the worsening 
security situation in Iraq following the recent wave of deadly 
terrorist and underground attacks. 
OT/AH/210 
End