From: Habib Yousafzai <habibyousafzai@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Nov 7, 2010 at 1:23 AM
Subject: [bangla-vision] Obama lands in controversy
Mumbai, Nov 6: While President Barack Obama Saturday paid tributes to victims of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, but the first day of his visit to India ran into immediate controversy as he made no reference to Pakistan. Obama lands in controversy
'Working Together To Deepen Counter-Terrorism'
Saturday's speech highlighted the diplomatic tests for Obama. Indians wanted a strong statement against Pakistan, but Washington tread a fine line between appeasing New Delhi and supporting US regional ally Islamabad.
News channels were abuzz with most Indian commentators surprised about the softness of the speech.
Obama said he intended to send a signal by making Mumbai the first stop on four-country Asia trip, and by staying at the Taj Hotel.
"The United States and India stand united (against terror)," he said.
Addressing families of victims, Obama said he "will never forget the awful image of 26/11". Calling the attackers "murderers", he said they sneaked into Mumbai to kill "innocent civilians".
"Those who attacked Mumbai wanted to demoralize this city and this country but they failed," he said.
He described the Taj Hotel as "a symbol of strength and resolve" for withstanding the horrific attack of 2008. "Taj is a symbol of strength of Indian people." Accompanied by his wife Michelle, he signed the visitors' book, looked at the plaque on which the names of 26/11 victims are engraved and delivered a six-minute speech in which he paid tributes to people of Mumbai and India hailing their resolve and resilience.
He made a special reference to the hotel's general manager Karamveer Kang who continued to work at the hotel during the attack and despite losing his family.
Obama also talked about the role of an Indian nanny who saved the life of a toddler, who lost his Jewish parents during the attack at the Chabad House.
"We will never forget the awful images of the 26/11 attacks, the flames from Taj Hotel that lit up the skies on those four days of November, 2008," the US President said with the Gateway of India forming the backdrop.
"We today, US and India, are working together, more closely than ever to deepening counter-terrorism (cooperation), to keep our people safe," he said, adding the two countries have been sharing intelligence to avoiding more attacks and demanding that the perpetrators be brought to justice.
He said the Indian and US governments were working more closely than ever to keep people safe by sharing intelligence.
He said he looked forward to deepening counter-terror cooperation "when I meet Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh in New Delhi". Obama, however, made no mention of Pakistan whom India blames for 26/11 attacks.
Obama's Saturday-to-Monday trip to India started just four days after his Democratic party sustained big election losses tied to the weak economy, raising some doubts over how much the trip can yield given the pressures at home.
BJP DISAPPOINTED
PTI adds from New Delhi: BJP Saturday expressed disappointment over US President Barack Obama making no reference to Pakistan on the terror issue in his first speech on arrival in Mumbai while the CPI found this "not surprising", accusing the US of adopting double standards.
"It was the first address by the US President at a place (Taj Hotel) which saw the biggest terror attack on India. It was a complete disappointment. He had words which were not backed with action and intent," BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy told reporters here.
He said that by skirting a direct reference to Pakistan, Obama "missed" an opportunity.
Reacting to Obama's speech at the Taj Hotel, CPI National Secretary D Raja said; "It is not at all surprising. The US pursues double standards. When it is attacked, it takes one position. When any other country is attacked it takes another stand. Our government should take note of this."
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* Received by Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, Protocol Minister Suresh Shetty and Union Corporate and Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khursheed, who is minister-in-waiting for the visiting dignitary at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai
*Flies in Marine One (US Helicopter) to INS Shikra, the Indian Navy's helibase at the Western Naval Command, Colaba
* Zooms off in presidential limousine from Colaba to Hotel Taj Mahal Palace & Tower
* At hotel, signs Visitor's Book, meets and interacts with some witnesses and survivors of 26/11 attacks
* Drives down to Mani Bhavan to view the Gandhi Museum
* Goes to Hotel Oberoi-Trident, Nariman Point, while First Lady Michelle visits University of Mumbai in Fort
* In Hotel Oberoi-Trident, meets American and Indian entrepreneurs and CEOs.Returns to Taj and retires overnight in one of the suites on the sixth floor of the hotel
--
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/
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