Military

DATE=11/10/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=INDIA / U-N

NUMBER=2-282970

BYLINE= OWEN FAY

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

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INTRO: India's prime minister has reaffirmed his country's support for the campaign against terrorism. He also said in a speech to the U-N General Assembly that the international coalition has an opportunity to respond to acts of terror wherever they occur. Owen Fay reports from the United Nations

TEXT: Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said his country stands with those who oppose terror. He said there are two critical elements in the war against terrorism -- a strict method of curbing financing to terrorist groups, and the elimination of their training camps. Speaking through a translator, Mr. Vajpayee also rejected any rationale behind the attacks of September 11th.

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We must firmly rebuff any ideological, political or religious justification for terror. We should reject self-serving arguments seeking to classify terrorism according to its root causes, and therefore justifying terrorist action somewhere while condemning it elsewhere.

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The Indian leader also called on world leaders to recognize that in the aftermath of the attacks, the slowdown in global economies will have a profound impact. He said just as efforts are being put in place to rebuild Afghanistan once the Taliban is removed, so too should there be an emphasis on aiding Third World countries. He called on the international community, gathered at the U-N, to lead the way. (Signed)

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