World Notes WEST GERMANY

Right-wing groups in West Germany have grown increasingly visible recently, but authorities last week drew the line at just how far such movements may go. Bonn banned the 170-member neo-Nazi National Assembly political group, confiscating ammunition, knives and swastikas during nationwide raids on offices and members' apartments. "This strike against neo-Nazis should be seen as an unmistakable warning signal," said Interior Minister Friedrich Zimmermann. "West Germany will not be a playing field for right-wing extremism."

The raids came only ten days after the new-right party, the Republicans, won a startling 7.5% of the vote in West Berlin city elections. Zimmermann said the ban on the National Assembly did not affect the Republican Party, because it is not considered "extremist." As for the National Assembly group, leader Michael Kuhnen, who remained free despite the ban, announced the formation of a new neo-Nazi party.