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29 August 2003

Powell Condemns Bombing at Iraqi Mosque

Calls it "a heinous crime" against Iraqi people and world

Secretary of State Colin Powell has condemned "in the strongest terms" the bombing August 29 at the Imam Ali Mosque in Al Najaf, Iraq. At least 75 persons were reported killed in the attack.

In a statement, Powell conveyed deepest sympathies to the Iraqi people and to Shi'a Muslims around the world.

He said the coalition operating in Iraq and the international community "will continue to work closely with the Iraqi people to build a better future for Iraq. We will not be deterred by such unacceptable and immoral acts."

Following is the text of Powell's statement:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
August 29, 2003

Statement by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

Condemnation of Bombing At Imam Ali Mosque in Al Najaf, Iraq

I condemn in the strongest terms the horrific bombing today at the Imam Ali Mosque in Al Najaf, a sacred religious site and a place of pilgrimage in Iraq. This is a heinous crime against the Iraqi people and the international community. I wish to convey our deepest sympathies to the Iraqi people and Shi'a Muslims around the world. I join the Iraqi Governing Council in expressing our most heartfelt condolences to the victims of this vicious attack and to their families, colleagues, and the international community, including the family and followers of Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim.

This attack underscores once again that we are all victims of terrorism, and that no political cause can justify the taking of innocent life. The coalition and the international community will continue to work closely with the Iraqi people to build a better future for Iraq. We will not be deterred by such unacceptable and immoral acts. The international community must renew its commitment to working with the majority of the Iraqi people who seek to build a free and stable country. We and the coalition will make every effort to assist the Iraqi people in the investigation of this brutal attack and do our utmost to bring those responsible to justice.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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