South African Government Reiterates Condemnation of Mumbai Blasts

Pretoria - In a briefing to the media on Wednesday 12 July 2006 Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad reiterated South Africa's unequivocal condemnation of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai on Tuesday 11 July 2006 during which hundreds of people are reported to have been killed and injured and infrastructure destroyed.

Deputy Minister Pahad reiterated that terrorism cannot be used to justify any cause and only serves to undermine any legitimate struggle the perpetrators are purported to be acting in support of.

The South African government calls on the international community to unite in its efforts to collectively deal with this scourge of terrorism while realising that the root causes of terrorism must be addressed in this quest.

These acts have increased tensions in the region and it is important that all parties remain calm and not fall victim to the agenda of the terrorists.

The governments of Pakistan and India must not be diverted from finding a solution to the dispute over Kashmir with a view to removing one of the major obstacles to combating terrorism in the region.

The South African government again extends its condolences to those who have lost loved ones and wish those wounded a speedy recovery.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

13 July 2006