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Statement by Press Secretary Dana Perino
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary October 20, 2008

Statement by Press Secretary Dana Perino

ÿÿWhite House News


The United States joins with the Government of the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan in condemning in the strongest terms the October 16th massacre
of more than 30 innocent civilians by Taliban extremists in Kandahar
province. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who
lost their lives in this attack.

This barbaric attack is the latest disturbing chapter in the ongoing saga
of the Taliban's outright war on the people of Afghanistan. It should serve
as a reminder to Afghans, as well as to us, of the nature of the enemy that
we face there. The United States -- along with our NATO partners -- train
their soldiers, protect their civilians and help build their roads so that
there might be a brighter day ahead for this struggling young democracy.
The Taliban and al Qaeda on the other hand, have stopped buses on those
roads and brutally executed dozens of innocent civilians in order to stop
that brighter day from ever coming. The differences between the two
competing visions for the future of Afghanistan could not be more stark.

We will continue to stand with the democratically-elected government of
Afghanistan as they find the perpetrators of this heinous attack and bring
them to justice, and recommit ourselves to fighting extremists there so
that the Afghan people will have a future free of such atrocities.

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