Hijackers must be brought to book: U.S.

WASHINGTON, JAN. 6. The United States has asserted that it would not rest until the hijackers of the Indian Airlines plane were brought to justice and vowed to strengthen cooperation with India in combating terrorism.

``...The United States, as a Government, will not rest until those who perpetrate those kinds of activities (hijacking and terrorism) are brought to justice,'' the White House Press Secretary, Mr. Joe Lockhart, told reporters yesterday.

``As far as the hijacking... We support a full investigation that is aimed at apprehending and prosecuting the hijackers. We do that, and what is important here, is that those who were responsible are brought to justice,'' he noted.

When a correspondent suggested that though the U.S. and India were discussing on combating terrorism together why was the latter left alone in fighting the menace, Mr. Lockhart retorted, ``no, I think those people who say that are wrong. I think we were in close touch with the Indian Government throughout the (hijacking) incident. ``We are also continuing to work with India on a series of efforts to strengthen our cooperation on fighting terrorism.'' Asserting that the U.S. would curb perpetrators of all kinds of terrorism domestically and internationally, he said ``whether it is an act of terror directed against Americans or whether it is directed against others... We can find a way to support their investigation.''

- PTI

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