PRESS COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT

Venezuela condemns attacks in India 

We were stunned on receiving the terrible news about the tragedy which today involved 100 of families of India and other nationalities, as a consequence of a series of terrorist actions in the railway system of the city of Bombay, which has taken the lives – according to the preliminary information available – of about 150 innocent persons and an undetermined number of wounded.

The government and the Venezuelan people while conveying their deep expressions of condolences to the government and the people of India, and particularly to those related to the fallen victims, expresses its solidarity with the anguish and the pain which is felt by the relatives of those who were wounded and killed by these deplorable attacks.

While expressing its strongest condemnation against this cowardly attack, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reiterates to the Government and the people of India its consternation over the dimensions of this brutal tragedy, while reaffirming its principled position on the inestimable value of human life and the rejection in any form of violence, whatsoever its origin or motive.

The Venezuelan government and people express their wish for the return of peace and permanent calm in the hearts of the noble nation of Gandhi.

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Ministry of Exterior Relations

Caracas , 11 th July, 2006