Belated Response

Relevant Excerpt from the press briefling by Ari Fleischer on Dec 21 (UStime)

Yesterday, if you recall, in a ceremony marking the 100th day since theSeptember 11th attacks against the United States, the President detailed actionsthat the United States government took in response to those terrorist attacks. At the same time, he announced that the United States government hadblocked assets of two more terrorist organizations, the UTN and the Lakshar alTauba [Lashkar-e-Toiba]. The President yesterday condemned the terroristsattacks against the Indian Parliament and the Kashmir legislature, and extendedcondolences to the Indian government and the families of the victims.

These attacks were meant to strike at India's democracy and kill its leaders,but were also intended to undermine Pakistan, harm the rapidly-improvingU.S.-Pakistani relationship, and to destabilize the global coalition againstterrorism.

President Musharraf has condemned the terrorist attacks on the legislature inSrinagar, and on the Indian Parliament.  He has said that he would moveagainst those involved in the attacks.  President Bush has every confidencein President Musharraf's capacity to act against the terrorists.  ThePresident calls on him to take action against the Lakshar al Tauba [Lashkar-eToiba], the Yash y Mohamad [Jaish-e-Mohammed] and other terrorist organizations, theirleaders, and their finances.  The President will support PresidentMusharraf in his efforts against terrorism.