International   

Bush, Obama condemn Mumbai terror attacks

New York/Washington: U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has telephoned U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Indian Ambassador to the U.S., Ronen Sen, for an update on the nature of the Mumbai attacks, said his office.

Mr. Obama, who strongly condemned the terror strikes, telephoned Ms. Rice late on Wednesday and Mr. Sen on Thursday, saying his thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this tragic situation.

Mr. Obama, according to his office, told Mr. Sen there was only one President at a time but he was monitoring the situation and was in communication with Ms. Rice.

Earlier, in a statement Mr. Obama strongly condemned terrorist attacks and said the U.S. must strengthen its partnerships with India and other nations to root out and destroy terrorist networks.

“President-elect Obama strongly condemns today’s terrorist attacks in Mumbai, and his thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the people of India,” said his chief national security spokesperson Brooke Anderson. “These coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism,” he said.

“The United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks. We stand with the people of India, whose democracy will prove far more resilient than the hateful ideology that led to these attacks,” added Mr. Anderson.

The U.S. government convened counter-terrorism and intelligence officials and offered help to Indian authorities as U.S. President George W. Bush condemned the attacks. “President Bush offers his condolences to the Indian people and the families of the innocent civilians killed and injured in the attacks in Mumbai, India,” said White House Press Secretary Dana Perino in a statement on Wednesday.

“The United States condemns this terrorist attack and we will continue to stand with the people of India in this time of tragedy,” she said adding, Mr. Bush who had left for the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland for the Thanksgiving holiday “has been updated regularly.”

The National Security Council convened officials from counter-terrorism and intelligence agencies as well as the State and Defence Departments, said Ms. Perino.

“The U.S. government continues to monitor the situation, including the safety and security of our citizens, and stands ready to assist and support the Indian government,” she added. The Justice Department said the FBI was monitoring the situation closely and was prepared to offer assistance if Indian authorities asked for it but said it had not yet received such a request.

“These coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism,” she said. “The United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks. “We stand with the people of India.”

“The Secretary [Ms. Rice] will be reaching out to officials at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and at the consulate in Mumbai. She will be reaching out to Indian government officials as well. The situation on the ground is extremely fluid,” said the official. — IANS

Stories in this Section

Bush, Obama condemn Mumbai terror attacks
U.K. intelligence suspects Al-Qaeda hand
Israel’s concern over trapped nationals
Prabakaran reaches out to India
Messages of outrage from Europe
Stand-off continues in Thailand
Russia to host BRIC summit in 2009
China: opposed to any form of terrorism
France: compensation for n-test victims
Rice discusses situation with Zardari
Tense minutes and hours

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu