A massive truck and car bombing in Baghdad
on October 25th has killed more than one-hundred fifty-five people and injured
hundreds more. It is the deadliest attack in Iraq in two years. The bombs
exploded outside a number of important government offices, including the Iraqi
Ministry of Justice and the headquarters of the Baghdad Provincial Council.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said these attacks would not derail the
political process or upcoming parliamentary elections. "These cowardly
terrorist attacks," said Mr. al-Maliki, "must not affect the
determination of the Iraqi people to continue their struggle against the
remnants of the dismantled regime and al-Qaida terrorists."
U.S. President Barack Obama strongly condemned the "outrageous attacks on
the Iraqi people" and expressed his deepest condolences to those who have
lost loved ones. "These bombings," said President Obama, "serve
no purpose other than the murder of innocent men, women, and children, and they
only reveal the hateful and destructive agenda of those who would deny the
Iraqi people the future that they deserve."
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the perpetrators of these attacks
will not be allowed to destroy what Iraq has achieved in the last six years.
"These despicable terrorist acts," said Secretary Clinton, "seek
to undermine the impressive progress that Iraq has made towards stability and
self-reliance. They will not succeed," she said. "They will not deter
Iraqis from administering justice based on the rule of law and carrying out
their legitimate responsibilities in governing Baghdad."
The United States stands by all Iraqis at this crucial time leading up to
national elections and pledges to help to combat all forms of violence and
attempts at intimidation. Those responsible for terrorist acts must be pursued
and brought to in fighting terrorism.justice. The U.S. will continue to support
the people and government of Iraq in fighting Terrorism.
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