The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Thursday, September 13, 2001, Chandigarh, India

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PM condemns attacks
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 12
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today condemned the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington in the strongest terms and offered India’s cooperation to the USA in investigating the "heinous" crime committed yesterday.

"We stand ready to cooperate with you in the investigations into this crime and to strengthen our partnership in leading international efforts to ensure that terrorism never succeeds again," Mr Vajpayee said in a letter to US President George Bush last night.

Expressing shock and dismay over the attacks on innocent people, Mr Vajpayee said: "It reminds us of the destructive power of terrorists bent upon destroying democratic institutions and challenging the civilised order."

"The attacks are also a strong message to democracies all over the world to redouble their efforts to defeat the 'great threat' to their people and institutions and the values they cherish," Mr Vajpayee said.

Union Home Minister L.K. Advani said the havoc wreaked in the USA yesterday emphasised the strong need for the global community to take stringent action against international terrorism.

The Home Minister said that in the past two years, India had made systematic efforts to mobilise world opinion against cross-border terrorism.

Indian envoy stuck in New York

Washington, September 12
Indian Ambassador Lalit Mansingh was in New York, meeting with Indian community leaders and officials in preparation for Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's visit later this month, when the terrorist attacks occurred.

Mr Mansingh said he and all his officers were safe, but added, "We are concerned about any casualties, so we will have to wait and see what unfolds."

Mr Mansingh, who said he was stuck in New York since all roads, bridges and airports in New York were closed, hoped he could drive back to Washington on Wednesday and help coordinate the Embassy's activities and be in touch with senior US officials and assure them of New Delhi's support to combat international terrorism.

It is believed that several Indian-Americans who work in the World Trade Centre twin towers and some Indians who may have been visiting the towers as tourists may have been among the fatalities.

In Washington, Indian Embassy Press Counsellor Navtej Sarna said all personnel were safe, including military officials who regularly visit the Pentagon to meet with their counterparts, particularly now since US-India military ties are on the rebound. IANS