Germany: Tunisia Blast Was Terror

German Interior Minister Otto Schily said on Monday both Germany and Tunisia were "100 percent sure" a truck explosion which killed 11 German tourists in a Tunisian resort earlier this month was a "terrorist" attack. Tunisian authorities, who at first said they believed the explosion was an accident, have since said they were "investigating in all directions."

"Germany is now convinced that this was 100 percent a criminal, terrorist act," Schily told reporters in Tunis. He was speaking at the close of a two-day visit to Tunisia, where he met investigators and had talks with President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

On April 11, a truck loaded with gasoline exploded near the entrance of the Ghriba synagogue on the Tunisian resort island of Djerba, killing 16 people, including 11 German tourists.

Schily said investigators believe terrorists were behind the blast because of the way gas tanks were mounted in the truck, the substances in the tanks and how the explosion took place.

"Given the ongoing investigation, I can't give you details," he said in German, with his comments translated into French. He said his meeting with Ben Ali produced "extremely interesting details."

Schily said Tunisian authorities had pledged to increase security measures, and that he did not feel it was necessary to issue a travel warning to German citizens. About 1 million Germans visit Tunisia each year.

"I don't think there is a reason to issue a travel alert, there have been several countries targeted with terrorist attacks," he said. "After Sept. 11, I don't think people were told not to travel to New York."

Germany had already said that all indications pointed to a deliberate attack, possibly by the al Qaeda terrorist network. If verified, the blast would be the first known terror attack by Osama bin Laden's terror network since Sept. 11.

Schily said it was too soon to say whether there was a link to al Qaeda or any other terrorist network, but added: "It looks like there were several people responsible."

He was accompanied to the North African nation by other German law enforcement officials, including federal prosecutor Kay Nehm.

On Sunday, he placed a yarmulke, or Jewish skullcap, on his head and entered the synagogue in Djerba. His visit came one week before an annual pilgrimage to the historic synagogue that begins April 29.