Presidential
Statement
Pakistan Extremist Groups
December 21, 2001
Yesterday, at a ceremony marking the 100th day since the September 11 terrorist
attacks, I detailed actions the United States Government has taken in response
to terrorist attacks here and abroad.
At the same time, I announced that the U.S. Government had blocked the assets
of two more terrorist organizations:
- Umma Tameer-e-Nau (UTN), an organization that claimed to feed the hungry and
needy of Afghanistan but that in fact provided information about nuclear weapons
to al-Qaida; and
- Lashkar-e-Taiba, a stateless sponsor of terrorism that has conducted operations
against Indian troops and civilian targets.
I also condemned the terrorist attacks against the Indian Parliament and the
Kashmir Legislature and extended condolences 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 improving U.S.-Pakistan
relationship, and to destabilize the global coalition against terrorism.
I have strongly condemned the attacks. I call upon President Musharraf to take
decisive action against Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terrorist
organizations, their leaders, finances, and activities.
President Musharraf has condemned the terrorist attacks on the Legislature in
Srinagar and on the Indian Parliament. He has said that he would move against
those involved in the attacks. As President Musharraf does so, he will have
our full support.