US lawmaker slams Germany over prostitution 02/05/2006 00:00

2 May 2006

WASHINGTON - A US lawmaker Monday strongly criticized Germany over its facilitation of prostitution during the World Cup later this year.

US Representative Christopher Smith, a Republican, said the German government would be to blame for "a significant influx of trafficked women who will be exploited," unless it changes course.

His comments came as German Chancellor Angela Merkel was preparing to visit Washington and the White House on Wednesday.

Smith accused Germany of providing venues for prostitution with state and local funds and with "providing official state sanction for what will be a very serious trafficking problem," calling this policy an "outrage"

If Germany does not change its support for prostitution, the lawmaker said he believes the country should be classified as an "egregious violator of human trafficking."

Smith said if Germany were to continue its current policy, it would be "a very serious blight" on its government.

Women's groups, church leaders and trade unionists charged in February that up to 40,000 women from Eastern Europe and former Soviet countries could be smuggled into Germany to work as prostitutes during the World Cup tournament in June and July that takes place in 12 German cities.

DPA

Subject: German news