[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 174 (Friday, December 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      ATTACKS ON INDIAN PARLIAMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2001

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, very early this morning, a suicide squad of 
six terrorists attacked the Indian Parliament. Prime Minister Vajpayee 
and Members of the Cabinet and Parliament were thankfully safe. 
Unfortunately, seven people, including guards and workers, were killed 
and at least 17 people were injured at the hands of one suicide bomber 
and other assailants equipped with grenades and guns.
  The United States has come forward and declared this raid ``an 
outrageous act of terrorism''. Not only was this an attack on India, it 
was a brutal attack on the largest symbol of democracy worldwide. I am 
shocked and appalled at this extreme act of terrorism and I express my 
deepest regards towards India at this time.
  India is a country that has been sadly afflicted for 50 years by the 
loss of countless innocent citizens at the hands of cold-blooded murder 
by terrorists. For the past decade, India has fallen victim to 
terrorist attacks by groups that belong to the same terrorist network 
responsible for the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
  Since September 11th, there has been a flurry of terrorist attacks in 
Kashmir taking place on a daily basis. On October 1st in particular, a 
suicide car bomb exploded in front of the Jammu and Kashmir State 
Assembly while it was in session and 38 people were killed. Since this 
incident, a clear pattern of cross-border terrorism in Kashmir has 
manifested and Islamic terrorist groups are to be blamed for these 
terrorist activities.
  The atrocious attack on the Indian Parliament falls within this 
familiar pattern of attacks by active terrorist forces in Kashmir. The 
suicide attack on democracy in Srinagar was clearly a precursor to this 
morning's attack on democracy in New Delhi. However, terrorist groups 
have crossed the line this time. This attack on diversity, vibrancy, 
equality, democracy and all characteristics of India's open society, 
goes too far.
  The parallel that can be drawn between the United States and India at 
this time is remarkable. The U.S. and India are not only friends, but 
they are also two nations that serve together as pillars of commitment 
to democracy. The U.S. was brutally attacked by terrorists in an 
attempt to break down our democratic ideals and we are retaliating with 
a successful war effort in Afghanistan. Similarly, the attack on Indian 
Parliament is impetus for India's retaliation against the relentless 
terrorism taking place in Kashmir and now in New Delhi. These punitive 
actions undoubtedly will help in the global war on terrorism and the 
current effort to eliminate the Al-Qaeda terrorist network. The 
citizens of India deserve to live their lives without violence and 
terror. The Government of India deserves to exercise its strong 
democratic ideals.

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