U.S. condemns Srinagar blast

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, AUG. 11. The Clinton administration has condemned the car bomb blast in Srinagar that claimed 14 lives but refused comment on India's accusation that Pakistan was behind the blast.

A State department spokesperson said that the administration did not have ``full information'' yet about the incident and its understanding was that several policemen and at least one journalist had been killed and that the Hizbul Mujahideen had claimed responsibility for the attack.

``Clearly, we condemn this attack. It is a brutal attack. Does nothing to advance a settlement in the Kashmir dispute. It adds to our disappointment over the ending of the ceasefire. And we continue to believe that all sides should resume this dialogue in the interests of pursuing peace in Kashmir and between India and Pakistan. We believe the Hizbul Mujahideen-Indian dialogue was simply not given enough time,'' the spokesperson, Mr. Richard Boucher, said.

Pressed on the issue of India's accusation of Islamabad's involvement, he said, ``I don't have anything on responsibility other than (that) we have seen the report that the Hizbul Mujahideen claimed responsibility.''

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Section  : International
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