Press Releases 2008

Department of State Press Briefing, December 8, 2008

Daily Press Briefing Index

Monday, December 8, 2008

Briefer:  Sean McCormack, Spokesman

PAKISTAN/INDIA

• Pakistani Government Investigation into Mumbai Attacks / Positive Steps
• Those Responsible must be Brought to Justice
• Focus on Prevention / Information is Key / U.S. Experience after 9/11
• U.S. Offer of Assistance to India

QUESTION:  How’s the investigation going as far as the Pakistanis are concerned into the Mumbai bombing?  What steps have you seen over the weekend, and how much more do they have to go?

MR. MCCORMACK:  Well, I’ve seen a lot of news reports this morning, and I think what we’re seeing are some positive steps.  I’ll let the Pakistani Government describe in more detail what those are and what actions they are taking.  But we’re seeing some positive steps taking place, and we’re going to be following that situation very closely.

As you’ve heard from Secretary Rice, both on her trip as well as over the weekend, what’s important here is that those responsible for the attacks in Mumbai be brought to justice, that they not be allowed to in any way plan further or participate further in any violent actions, any terrorist actions.  And also, there needs to be a focus on prevention.  What we don’t want to see are future attacks coming – emanating from Pakistani soil.  And we would urge cooperation among all interested parties to make sure that that doesn't happen. 

QUESTION:  Sean, is it your understanding – you said they’ve taken positive steps.  Do you believe that that – they’ve seized one of the masterminds of the attacks?

MR. MCCORMACK:  I’m going to hold off on any specific comments.  I know I’ve seen a lot of news reports that are out there.  Let’s let the Pakistani Government describe for the public exactly what steps they’re taking and what it is that they’ve done, then perhaps we might have something more to say afterwards.  But at the moment, I’m just going to keep it where I am – where I have left it. 

QUESTION:  More on prevention, though, what specific steps would you like the Pakistanis to take to prevent their soil, as Secretary Rice says, or appears to – well, is no doubt being used?

MR. MCCORMACK:  Right.  Well, look, as we ourselves learned through the experience after 9/11, information is key in preventing future terrorist attacks and to breaking up terrorist networks.  So getting that information and sharing that information so that it can possibly be acted upon to prevent future attacks is critically important.

Now, we had to learn how to do this ourselves, or learn how to do it much better.  And we have since 9/11.  And that’s part of what Secretary Rice did during her trip to India:  She offered to the Indian Government any assistance that they might be willing to accept and, you know, listen to any advice that we might be able to provide as we, again, have built this experience up over time and we have had some success in that regard.

QUESTION:  But isn’t it more than information?  Isn’t it providing militants training in Pakistani territory to launch attacks?

MR. MCCORMACK:  Well, also, you know, it’s also incumbent upon the Pakistani Government to act to prevent any future terrorist attacks, to break up those networks that may be responsible for perpetrating acts of violent extremism.  It’s – the Pakistani Government understands this, and Secretary Rice heard that very clearly from – during all of her meetings while she was there.  Because they understand that this is as much a threat to Pakistan as it is to Pakistan’s neighbors or others, including the United States, so they understand how critical it is that they act in this regard.