[See SAJAforum's full coverage of the Mumbai attacks]
Several statements have been issued. More being added. Add any you find in the comments below.
"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. These coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism. 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," said Brooke Anderson, Chief National Security Spokesperson. [link]
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Statement by President Bush's press secretary
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. The United States condemns this terrorist attack and we will continue to stand with the people of India in this time of tragedy.
This afternoon, the White House National Security Council convened officials from counterterrorism and intelligence agencies as well as the State and Defense Departments. 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.
President Bush has been updated regularly. [link]
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Background: President-elect Obama spoke with Secretary Rice and Ambassador Sen about the situation in Mumbai This evening, President-elect Obama called Secretary of State Rice to get an update and status report on the situation in Mumbai. President-elect Obama then called Indian Ambassador Sen and conveyed that his thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this tragic situation. He said that there is just one president at a time. He also told him that he is monitoring the situation and has been in communication with Secretary Rice. [link]
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STATEMENT BY MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ON ATTACKS IN MUMBAI
"Today a horrific series of attacks in Mumbai, India reminded us that there remain dark forces in the world that think killing innocents is a way to advance an agenda. New Yorkers, including the hundreds of thousands that trace their roots to that part of the world, stand together and reject the depraved methods of the terrorists. New York is in many ways similar to Mumbai: it is a wonderfully diverse city that is a leading center for business, education, science and the arts. I extend my deep sympathies to the families of those killed and to those wounded in today's attacks. Tomorrow, I will join members of New York's Indian community at the Ganesha Temple in Queens for a prayer service.
"We live in a world that is knit closer together than ever, and the threat of terrorism reverberates around the globe. Just today, we dealt with an unsubstantiated report of potential terrorism here in New York. This report led the NYPD to take precautionary steps to protect our transit system, and we will always do whatever is necessary to keep our City safe. I encourage New Yorkers to leave the security to the professionals and fully enjoy their Thanksgiving holidays. And please keep those affected by these attacks in your prayers."
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November 26, 2008
sen.satveer.chaudhary@senate.mn or satveerc@aol.com or senatorchaudhary@aol.com
State Senator Satveer Chaudhary, Minnesota, strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, calling for the United States to do everything possible to protect U.S. citizens in that area and assist India where appropriate in normalizing the current situation. He offered deep condolences to the families of those lost. "The U.S. Department of State has information on how to locate friends and family there, including a hotline at 1-888-407-4747. The wait is long, so please be patient or use the Department's website."
He also called for calm amongst the India diaspora worldwide. "Use our wits as much as strength to bring these people justice, exchange all relevant information with authorities and the media, and resist in no uncertain terms any backlash against innocents."
Chaudhary noted that the U.S. and India are natural allies against terrorism, and are now growing economic partners. Consequently, the strike against India's finance center and film industry may impact the American economy. "Mumbai, formerly called Bombay, is like New York and Los Angeles combined," Chaudhary said, with a major stock exchange, global finance institutions, and film industry (called "Bollywood"). With global interconnectedness and a vulnerable U.S. financial sytem, these attacks are clearly aimed at furthering international destabilization." Chaudhary also cited the presence of many European Union officials at the major hotels hit.
Chaudhary noted ironically that Minnesota trade representatives were scheduled this week to arrive back in Mumbai and elsewhere in India to follow up trade talks from its 2007 trade mission. Chaudhary also attended the trade mission and brokered India's first sister-state relationship.
Chaudhary stated that he remains a resource should anyone need assistance or information during this time, including U.S. and Indian officials. "I'm not in the thick of it, but I can find people who are." Satveer Chaudhary is a native Minnesotan who is the only Senator of Indian descent in history. He has studied and written extensively on international affairs, U.S.-India relations, global trade, and the Indian diaspora. For more information see www.chaudhary.org
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Statement by Hindu American Foundation
Press Inquiries
Managing Director: Suhag Shukla, Esq., cell 651-248-3883 - suhag[at]hafsite.org
President: Mihir Meghani, M.D., cell 510-396-2745 - mihir[at]hafsite.org
Fremont, California, USA (November 26, 2008. 1530 hours): The Hindu
American Foundation (HAF) expresses outrage over the savage terror attacks
ongoing inMumbai , India today and offers its condolences to the victims
and their families. The Foundation calls for calm and restraint while
demanding that the Maharashtra state government and India's central
governments take emergency measures to halt further attacks and bring the
terrorists to justice. "Like 911, this attack was on India's financial
capital. It is our hope that the international community and the Indian
government will wake-up to the reality of terrorists in their midst and
take immediate steps to ensure security for its people" saidSuhag Shukla,
Esq, the Foundation's Managing Director and Legal Counsel.
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) is an advocacy group providing a
progressive voice for over two million Hindu Americans. The Foundation
interacts with and educates leaders in public policy, academia, media and
the public at large about Hinduism and global issues concerning Hindus,
such as religious liberty, the portrayal of Hinduism, hate speech, hate
crimes and human rights. By promoting the Hindu and American ideals of
understanding, tolerance and pluralism, HAF stands firmly against hate,
discrimination, defamation and terror. The Hindu American Foundation is
not affiliated with any religious or political organizations or entities.
HAF seeks to serve Hindu Americans across all sampradayas (Hindu religious
traditions)
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Statement from Muslim Consultative Network in NYC
Executive Director
Muslim Consultative Network (MCN)
www.mcnny.org [www.mcnny.org]
646 251 0402
Iamourhajat]aol.com
Understood correctly, Islam teaches that the use of terrorism is unacceptable for any purpose. Therefore we at MCN wish to extend heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the peoples of India at this tragic time. Peace and Justice will never be implemented through such cowardly actions against civilians. Regardless of background or affiliation, those truly responsible for brutal and immoral attacks should be brought to justice through swift application of the law.
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CAIR Condemns Mumbai Attacks
Muslim civil rights group demands that hostages be ‘released immediately and unconditionally’
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/27/08) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today condemned attacks on a number of sites in the Indian financial capital of Mumbai that left at least 100 people dead and many more injured.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages taken during the attacks. Witnesses say the attackers sought out American and British citizens.
In a statement, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“We condemn these cowardly attacks and demand that all hostages taken by the attackers be released immediately and unconditionally. We offer sincere condolences to the loved ones of those killed or injured in these senseless and inexcusable acts of violence against innocent civilians. American Muslims stand with our fellow citizens of all faiths in repudiating acts of terror wherever they take place and whomever they target.”
The Washington-based group also asked the Indian government to
protect all its citizens from the type of retaliatory attacks that have
taken place following similar incidents in the recent past.
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