German Cabinet approves new anti-terrorism measures

BERLIN – Germany’s interior minister says Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Cabinet has approved a package of new measures to help fight terrorism.

Thomas de Maiziere told reporters Wednesday that one key feature of the proposals, which will have to be approved by Parliament, will be to expand information and intelligence-sharing with other governments.

He says “international terrorist organizations are internationally networked” and that “we need to network our security agencies better.”

Other measures include expanding German police agencies’ ability to go undercover, particularly to infiltrate smuggler networks, and requiring official identification for the purchase of a prepaid cellphone or sim card so they can’t be as easily used to skirt surveillance.

Though regular prepaid cellphone customers may chafe at the measures, de Maiziere says “security is more important than convenience.”