So all suicide bombers are driven to their deeds by "Israeli oppression"? Well, what's this guy's excuse?:
By ZARAR KHAN
.c The Associated Press
KARACHI, Pakistan (June 14) - A suicide driver slammed his explosives-packed vehicle into a concrete barrier in front of the U.S. consulate Friday, setting off a huge explosion that killed 11 people and injured 45.
The attack - the fourth against foreigners in Pakistan since January - prompted the U.S. government to consider scaling back its diplomatic staff in this country on the front line of the war against al-Qaida.
No Americans were among the dead, but one U.S. Marine guard suffered slight injuries from flying debris. Five Pakistanis who work at the consulate also were injured, said Mark Wentworth, a U.S. Embassy spokesman in Islamabad.
Tight security measures, including concrete barriers around a 10-foot-high concrete wall, probably prevented more casualties inside the heavily guarded compound.
U.S. officials in Washington said they suspect al-Qaida or affiliated Islamic extremist groups carried out the attack, but have no direct evidence. Several Pakistani groups in Karachi have ties to Osama bin Laden's terror network.
Late Friday, Karachi newspapers received a fax message claiming responsibility in the name of the previously unknown ''Tarjuman-Al-Qanoon,'' or Spokesman for the Law. The message said the attack was a ''preview with more to follow'' and was part of a holy war against the United States and its ''puppet ally,'' the Pakistani government.
In Washington, U.S. counterterrorism officials said they were aware of the claim but had not determined if it was credible. And President Bush said the bombing speaks to the nature of terrorism itself.
''We fight an enemy that are radical killers; that's what they are,'' Bush said. ''They claim they are religious people, and then blow up Muslims. They have no regard for human life.''
Later at a political fund-raiser, Bush said: ''These people, these terrorists, these killers have hijacked a noble religion. ... For the good of freedom, for the good of America and our allies and friends, we're going to hunt them down one by one and bring them to justice.'' |
