Nadimarg Massacre- Global Reactions

KS Correspondent

George Bush, U.S. President- "The President strongly condemns the cowardly attack that left 24 innocent men, women and children dead in Shopian in J&K on March 23. The attack underscores the importance of the war on terror and strengthens our resolve to work with friends and allies to fight terrorism at home and abroad".

Robert Blackwell, U.S. Ambassador in New Delhi- "The U.S. condemns the ghastly murders of innocent men, women and children at Nadimarg village in J&K. The global war on terrorism will not be won until such atrocities end against all countries. We look forward to the terrorists being brought swiftly to justice".

Jack Straw, British Foreign Secretary- "These killings underline the need for continued action to eliminate the scourage of terrorism".

Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General- "The UN Secretary General condemns in the strongest possible terms as a cowardly act of terrorism the massacre of 24 Kashmiri Hindus, including women and children, that took place near the town of Shopian in Kashmir".

French Foreign Ministry Spokesman- "France condemns the attack which took place in J&K, resulting in numerous civilian casualties and conveys its condolences to the families of the victims".

The Times, London- "The despicable massacre...is a calculated attempt to provoke a blood bath at a time when the world is preoccupied with Iraq. The attacks came after three months of relative peace, and were deliberately brutal in order to goad the Indians into retaliation. It was a crime against Kashmir's Hindu minority and a shocking reminder that Kashmir remains a flash-point in the confrontation between the subcontinent's two nuclear powers. The militants cannot be allowed to provoke a return to nuclear confrontation. Musharraf is a vital ally in US efforts to deflect Muslim criticism of the war in Iraq. But he must be held to his commitment to end the fund arming and training of terrorists in Kashmir. Pakistan's condemnation of the massacre is prompt and welcome. It must be backed with an unrelenting crackdown on those who would shoot women and children in Kashmir"

Christina Rocca, US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia- "Continued terrorism like Sunday's attack threatens to provoke yet another crisis in the coming months. We look to Pakistan to do everything in its power to prevent extremist groups operating from its soil from crossing the LoC. Pakistan has taken steps to curb infiltration but we are asking the government to redouble its efforts. At the same time, we will use our good offices to continue to press both sides to take confidence building steps that will lead to a process of engagement addressing all issues that divide them (India and Pakistan) including Kashmir" .

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