The Hindu : National : U.S. understands pain caused by terror in India: Mulford

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Tuesday, Sep 12, 2006
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U.S. understands pain caused by terror in India: Mulford

Countries expanding anti-terror cooperation, says Ambassador

PHOTO: AP

LEND AN EAR: U.S. Ambassador David Mulford (centre) and his wife Jeannie speak to a victim of the Mumbai train blasts on Monday.

Mumbai: Describing terrorism as an assault on the world's free societies, United States Ambassador to India David C. Mulford said on Monday that his country and India were expanding their anti-terror cooperation.

"We are sharing sensitive and forensic information. The U.S. understands the pain and loss caused by terror attacks in this country," Mr. Mulford told a gathering held in memory of victims of the 9/11 terror attacks in New York five years ago.

While terming the 9/11 strike as a brutal terror attack on the U.S., Mr. Mulford also criticised the terrorist acts in India.

"The victims of the 9/11 attack came from 90 different countries and belonged to different faiths. Terrorism is not an attack on individual countries, but an assault on free society everywhere in the world," he said.

"Our two countries have regularly reaffirm our commitment to defeat destructive designs," he added.

"The principles that unite free nations like India and the United States will prevail over the militants who seek to impose their nihilistic creed on the world."

Mr. Mulford said the U.S. would do everything possible to help India bring to justice those who commit acts of terror like the Mumbai blasts. Despite such incidents, the U.S. and India would move forward with renewed commitment to preserve diverse and tolerant democratic societies.

Maharashtra Chief Secretary D.K. Shankaran said much before 9/11, Mumbai had witnessed a terrorist attack. Similarly, the Indian Parliament and the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature were also targeted.

A coincidence

"Terror attacks in India are aimed to divide the civil society and ensure that there is a communal discord. People in Malegaon and Mumbai gave a strong message to the terrorists that they will not succeed in their designs," Mr. Shankaran said. He said it was a coincidence that exactly 100 years ago Mahatma Gandhi launched his Satyagraha movement in South Africa.

Mumbai Northwest MP, Priya Dutt, Maharashtra Director-General of Police P.S. Pasricha, Mumbai Police Commissioner A.N. Roy and U.S. Consul General in Mumbai Michael S. Owen were present. — UNI, PTI

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