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Bring perpetrators of Mumbai terror attack to book: Obama | | Emphasizing that the United States stands in solidarity with the 26/11 victims and with India to eradicate the scourge of terrorism in different parts of the
world, visiting U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday gave a call to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attack to book. Obama, who arrived here in India
on a four-day State visit, made a brief speech after visiting the Tree of Life
memorial at the Taj hotel, one of the main venues targeted by terrorists on November
26, 2008. In his address to the gathering at the memorial site, he said: "The
decision to stay in Taj is to send out a message to terrorists. It is an extraordinary
honour to be here." Avoiding a direct reference to Pakistan in his speech, Obama
said, "The perpetrators of attacks (Mumbai terror attacks) hoped to divide India
on the basis of religion. The 26/11 perpetrators must be brought to book." "The
United States stands in solidarity with 26/11 victims and it cannot forget the
horrifying images of 26/11," he added. Stating that the U.S. "stands with India
to eradicate scourge of terrorism", Obama said: "I look forward to deepening of
counter-terrorism relations (with India )." Mentioning the right of people to
live in a free world away from threat of terror, President Obama said: "We won't
allow the torch of freedom to blow out." Obama concluded on an emotional note
by quoting India's first prime minister Jawharlal Lal Nehru's words on the death
of Mahatma Gandhi: "We will never allow the torch of freedom to be blown out
however
high the wind or stormy the tempest." Obama also met the victims of the Mumbai
terror attacks at the Taj. The US President Barack Obama has arrived here today
on the first leg of his visit to India that will seek to focus on opening up of
Indian markets for American businesses and deal with wide range of political issues,
including strategy on counter-terrorism. The Air Force One carrying Obama and
his wife Michelle touched down at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
here at 12:50 p.m. Obama and his wife walked down the ladder to a red carpet
welcome
and were received by Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan who presented him
a memento. The other dignitaries who received him on the tarmac were Union
Minister
for Minority Affairs Salman Khursheed, who will be the minister-in-waiting, Indian
Ambassador in the US Meera Shankar and the US Ambassador to India Timothy
Roemer.
In the visitors' book at the Taj hotel here, Barack Obama wrote: "We will always
remember the attack of 26/11; not only the sorrow, but also the courage and
humanity that was displayed that day. The United States stands in solidarity with all
of Mumbai and all of India in working to eradicate the scourge of terrorism, and we
affirm our lasting friendship with the Indian people." The comments were signed by
President Obama and his wife and U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama.
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