22 February 2006
United States Condemns Bombing of Important Shia Mosque in Iraq
U.S. statements urge Iraqis to avoid civil war, promise to help rebuild mosque
The United States condemns the bombing February 22 of the Golden Mosque in Samarra, Iraq, one of the holiest places for Shi’a Muslims, as a blatant attempt to foment sectarian strife, and promises to contribute to its reconstruction, according to statements from the White House and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
“This senseless crime is an affront to people of faith throughout the world,” President Bush said. He urged Iraqis to show restraint in the wake of the attack and pursue justice through legal means. “Violence will only contribute to what the terrorists sought to achieve by this act,” he said.
U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad and General George Casey, the commander of the coalition troops in Iraq, said, "Given the historic, cultural, and religious importance of this shrine, this attack is a crime against humanity. The Shrine should be rebuilt and the United States will contribute to its reconstruction.”
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the U.N. Security Council also issued statements condemning the attack and calling on Iraqi political and religious leaders to come together in support of national dialogue and a peaceful political process.
The bombing of the mosque comes at a time of delicate negotiations among Iraq's Shia, Sunni and Kurdish political groups to form a government of national unity.
For additional information, see Iraq Update.
Following are the texts of the statements:
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THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
February 22, 2006
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
On behalf of the American people, I extend my deepest condolences to the people of Iraq for the brutal bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samarra, one of the holiest sites in Shi'a Islam. The terrorists in Iraq have again proven that they are enemies of all faiths and of all humanity. The world must stand united against them, and steadfast behind the people of Iraq. This senseless crime is an affront to people of faith throughout the world. The United States condemns this cowardly act in the strongest possible terms.
I ask all Iraqis to exercise restraint in the wake of this tragedy, and to pursue justice in accordance with the laws and constitution of Iraq. Violence will only contribute to what the terrorists sought to achieve by this act.
The United States stands ready to do all in its power to assist the Government of Iraq to identify and bring to justice those responsible for this terrible act. And the American people pledge to work with the people of Iraq to rebuild and restore the Golden Mosque of Samarra to its former glory.
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Embassy of the United States of America
Baghdad, Iraq
February 22, 2006
Embassy Spokesman's Office
Phone: (914) 360-6452
Iraqna: 07901-819-314
Email: BaghdadPressOffice@state.gov
NEWS RELEASE
Joint Statement by Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and General George Casey Denouncing Terrorist Destruction of the Golden Mosque
February 22, 2006
We denounce in the strongest terms the terrorist destruction of the Golden Mosque -- the Shrine of the Askareyen Imams. This heinous crime is a deliberate attempt to foment sectarian strife in Iraq and the region. Given the historic, cultural, and religious importance of this shrine, this attack is a crime against humanity. The Shrine should be rebuilt and the United States will contribute to its reconstruction.
The Iraqi people, in this hour of sadness and anger over a despicable crime, must not allow themselves to be divided. Those who commit acts of sectarian violence in the wake of this tragic event are only serving the interests of the terrorists. The terrorists led by Zarqawi wish to see Iraq descend into sectarian conflict.
This is a critical moment for Iraq. We call on all Iraqis to unite against terror and violence. Coming together in unity to condemn this barbaric act and working for Iraq's salvation will be the right response.
This desperate and despicable act shows that terrorists stop at nothing and care for nothing. The United States and our Coalition partners share in the outrage of the Iraqi people against this crime. We stand with the Iraqi people in their courageous efforts to eliminate the criminal and terrorist elements in their country and to build a government of national unity.
May God Bless the People of Iraq.
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(begin text)
United Nations
Office of the Secretary-General
New York
22 February 2006
Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General in response to the bombing of the al-Askari Shrine in Samarra
The Secretary-General was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the bombing of the holy Shrine of Imam Ali-Hadi Mosque in Samarra this morning, an act which is clearly aimed at provoking sectarian strife and undermining further the peace and stability of Iraq. He appeals to all communities to show maximum restraint in the face of these provocative actions.
The Secretary-General further calls on all political and religious leaders of Iraq to come together in a spirit of dialogue and mutual respect to calm the situation and dedicate their efforts to ensure the respect of human rights and the protection of places of worship.
The United Nations will continue to do everything possible to assist the Iraqi people to promote inter-communal dialogue and national reconciliation.
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U.N. Security Council
New York
22 February 2006
The members of the Security Council strongly condemn the attack on the Golden Mosque (the holy Shrine of Imam Ali al-Hadi) in Samarra this morning and ensuing attacks on other religious sites. They note with concern that these criminal and sacrilegious acts were carried out with the aim of igniting intercommunal and sectarian tensions and undermining prospects for peace and stability.
The members of the Security Council understand the anguish caused by the attacks, but urge the people of Iraq to defy its perpetrators by showing restraint. They call on the people of Iraq to come together against violence and terror and in support of the peaceful political process, national dialogue and unity. To this end, the members of the Security Council again call on Iraq's political leaders to work with resolve towards the formation of a fully inclusive Government, which will strive to build a peaceful, prosperous, democratic and united Iraq.
(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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