Widespread condemnation of new terror attacks in Mumbai
YET AGAIN: Victims of bomb explosion lie on the ground outside the Opera House in Mumbai on July 13
NEW YORK: The United States has strongly condemned the three simultaneous terrorist attacks in crowded Mumbai neighborhoods July 13 in which nearly 20 people were killed and at least a hundred others were injured.
US President Barack Obama strongly condemned the “outrageous” attacks in Mumbai and said that his thoughts and prayers were with the wounded and those who have lost loved ones. “The US government continues to monitor the situation, including the safety and security of our citizens,”
Offering US support to India in its investigative efforts into the blasts, President Obama said, “India is a close friend and partner of the United States. The American people will stand with the Indian people in times of trial, and we will offer support to India’s efforts to bring the perpetrators of these terrible crimes to justice.”
The President added that during his trip to Mumbai (last year), he saw firsthand the strength and resilience of the Indian people. “I have no doubt that India will overcome these deplorable terrorist attacks,” he said.
US State Department
At the US State Department’s daily press briefing, a journalist directly asked if the US suspected Pakistan hand in the attacks. “… given the allegations of Pakistani involvement in the Mumbai attacks of 2008, do you have any reason to suspect that there may be Pakistani official or unofficial involvement in these bombings?” the reporter asked.
State Department Spokesperson Mark Toner was cautious in his response and said it was too early to speculate on who was behind the blasts. “The Indian government will no doubt begin an investigation of the incident, and we’ll wait for their results,” Toner said. “We stand ready to cooperate with them.”
Secretary of State who is scheduled to visit New Delhi and Chennai in India next week said she would go ahead with her visit despite the bombings. Standing with India at this time was more important, she said.
UN Security Council
The members of the United Nations Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks. They expressed their deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the victims of these heinous acts and to their families, and to the people and Government of India.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.
Reactions on Capitol Hill
On Capitol Hill too there was condemnation all around against the perpetrators of the blasts. Strongly condemning the attacks, Representatives Ed Royce (R-CA) and Joe Crowley (D-NY), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, said, “With the US-India strategic dialogue planned for next week in Delhi, these senseless attacks underscore that counter terrorism cooperation between the two nations must be a top priority.” “There can be no justification for what took place, and the targeting of civilians on their commute home from work is deplorable,” they added.
US Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said, “The Congress and the Executive Branch are united in support of the US-India strategic partnership. If requested by the Indian authorities, we must stand ready to provide all appropriate assistance during this time of trial.”
Ros-Lehtinen said she joins with all Americans in expressing her outrage at the attacks in Mumbai, and in expressing her sympathy to the families of those killed or wounded by these “cowardly attacks”.
Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY), the top Democrat on the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, said in response to the terror attacks, “India has once again been brutally attacked by barbaric terrorist violence and I extend to the people and government of India my deepest sympathy for the many injured and killed by the three bomb blasts in Mumbai.”
Congressman Ackerman said the deliberate murder of civilians is “always wrong, it is always inexcusable, and it is always unacceptable for any reason, cause, or belief. It cannot be rationalized, justified or excused.”
Ackerman further said the perpetrators of this attack must be found, their backers, protectors and funders must be exposed, and justice must be done to all of those involved in this hideous mass murder of innocents. “A bombing of the sort which has just occurred in Mumbai cannot happen without networks and an infrastructure of terror. Nations that tolerate or, worse, encourage, such networks and infrastructure to take root are just as guilty as the terrorists who set off the bombs,” he said.
As a nation that has, itself, suffered at the hands of terrorists, the United States must not only be vigilant in prosecuting the war on terror, but also equally aggressive in confronting any nation that continues to facilitate or sponsor terrorists of any stripe, Ackerman said. “In this terrible moment of grief and horror, Mumbaikars, and all Indians should know that the United States stands with you in your righteous anger and shares with you the pain of your loss,” he said.
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said, “Senseless attacks such as these shock civilized people everywhere.”
“India is America’s close friend and the world’s largest democracy; it is a shining example to other countries in the region and around the world of the universal right of self-determination and the success of pluralism,” she said. “Americans stand with our ally India today and in the future as they work to bring the perpetrators to justice and recover from this tragedy.”
Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX-32), a Member of House Republican Leadership, while condemning the attacks said, “I believe the United States should stand with India to ensure those responsible for these horrendous terrorist attacks are held accountable.”
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have lost loved ones and those who were injured. During this time of tragedy, we should all offer our support to the people of India and Indian-Americans across the world,” Sessions added.
Senator Joseph I. Lieberman (I-CT) said “… this is an evil and barbaric attack against the people of India, our close friends and strategic partners. This attack is also a terrible reminder that, despite the killing of Osama bin Laden, violent extremists continue to seek the mass murder of innocent people and the destruction of free societies around the world.”
Lieberman further said India and the United States are targeted by terrorists precisely because they hate the values the two countries share – the values of democracy, diversity, tolerance, and rule of law. “The Indian people should know that the American people stand in solidarity and partnership in our common fight against the scourge of terrorism. I am confident the Obama Administration will do everything in its power to work with the Indian government to ensure that all those responsible for this despicable attack are brought to justice.”
India Post News Service
