Holbrooke regrets remarks on Kabul attack

Following a formal protest to Washington by New Delhi, US Special Envoy on Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke has said that his comments on Kabul attack that "Indians were not targeted" were misunderstood. The issue was to be taken up when Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao travels to the US next week.

“I regret any misunderstanding caused by my comments on the recent terrorist attack in Kabul, which claimed the lives of 7 Indians and at least ten citizens of other nations," Holbrooke said.

He added: "I did not say Indians were not targeted. Initially, it looked like target wasn't an Indian facility. Early reports on events like this are often unreliable, and I try not to jump to conclusions. We all know that Indian citizens have and continue to be targeted by terrorists, including inside Afghanistan. The willingness of India to take risks and make sacrifices to help Afghanistan is testament to India's commitment global peace and prosperity and a vital part of the international commitment to Afghanistan's future." My heart goes out to the families of all of the victims, he added.

Earlier, India had officially protested to Washington about Holbrooke's comments about Indians not being the targets in the Kabul attack last week. He had upset New Delhi by his remarks, when the guesthouse that was the target of the attack had only Indian guests and was the primary focus of the attacks in which seven Indians were killed.

After the Kabul attack in which six Indians were among the 16 persons killed Holbrooke had said, "In regard to this attack, I don't accept the fact that this was an attack on an Indian facility like the (Indian) embassy. They were foreigners, non-Indian foreigners hurt. It was a soft target. Let's not jump to conclusions."

- Asian Tribune -