Police Pelted by German Youths as Anti-Foreigner Violence Continues

ROSTOCK, Germany — About 1,000 youths chanting anti-foreigner slogans pelted police with stones and bottles Tuesday in a fourth night of violence in the port city of Rostock.

Chancellor Helmut Kohl condemned the attacks and said the racist street fighters must be severely punished.

The youths attacked hundreds of police who were guarding an abandoned refugee hostel in the city. The group set at least two cars on fire late Tuesday.

The police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the rioters. No arrests or injuries were reported.

In an attack Monday, up to 1,000 youths battled police and fire-bombed the hostel, cheered on by bystanders.

Kohl, making his first comment on the Rostock violence, said: “The most important thing is that we jointly, all democratic parties, make it clear to the world that hatred of foreigners is totally unacceptable, that hatred of foreigners is a disgrace for our country.”