India has right to protect itself: Obama

Times of India ^ | 2 Dec 2008 | Chidanand Rajghatta

[Lorianne]

WASHINGTON: Sovereign nations have the right to protect themselves, US president-elect Barack Obama said on Monday, when asked if India could follow the same policy he advocated during his election campaign — of bombing terrorist camps in Pakistan if there was actionable evidence and Islamabad refused to act on it.

Although Obama said he did not want to comment on the specific situation involving India and Pakistan, his tacit endorsement of New Delhi adopting the same policy was circumscribed by two caveats: first, let the investigators reach definite conclusions about the Mumbai carnage, and second, see if Pakistan will follow through with its commitment to cooperate in eliminating terrorism.

''My administration will remain steadfast in support of India’s effort to catch perpetrators and bring them to justice. I expect the world community will feel the same way,'' Obama said, in one of several references to the events in Mumbai that underscored the roll-out of his national security team in Chicago on Monday.

[freedumb2003]

''My administration will remain steadfast in support of India’s effort to catch perpetrators and bring them to justice. I expect the world community will feel the same way,'' Obama said, in one of several references to the events in Mumbai that underscored the roll-out of his national security team in Chicago on Monday.

The now official Office Of The President Elect issues its Official Mandates.

Who the heck needs an election -- a selection is all we need.

[anonsquared]

“Sovereign nations have the right to protect themselves”

The financing most certainly came from Saudi Arabia. I say India should have at ‘em.

[Dallas59]

"We cannot tolerate attacks based on twisted ideology of hate...we will bring the full force of our military , economic and diplomatic power to defeat this. I will be monitoring the situation closely."

A couple of million Libs just died.

[jla]

Sovereign nations have the right to protect themselves, US president-elect Barack Obama said

Gee, and here I thought he was scatterbrained, but this original revelation proves me wrong, eh?

On another point, I thought while reading his remarks to the Indian PM, that other Presidents, (or even those who head the hallowed 'Office of the President-Elect'), would often invoke a religious tone to their commiserations, such as, 'may God be with you', or similar sentiments.
I'm wondering if we'll hear this, (acknowledgment of God), in the next four years?
Just something that struck me as I read.

[blackbart.223]

"''My administration will remain steadfast in support of India’s effort to catch perpetrators and bring them to justice. I expect the world community will feel the same way,''

Two points.1 find the perpetrators and kill them where they stand. 2 This guy is grossly naive.

[bboop]

‘Bring them to justice’ to me sounds a bit like a trial by jury. Maybe that’s just me.

[Spok]

Pray the Annointed One doesn’t blunder the world into its first nuclear exchange.

[blackbart.223]

"‘Bring them to justice’ to me sounds a bit like a trial by jury. Maybe that’s just me."

Therin lies the problem. And it isn't just you.

[libh8er]

A couple of million Libs just died

One can only hope.

[zadox]

Aye, there's the rub,
''My administration will remain steadfast in support of India’s effort to catch perpetrators and bring them to justice. I expect the world community will feel the same way,'' Obama said,
Just like the Clinton years again- its a "law enforcement problem" not a war against Islamic Fascists.

[FrankR]

"Sovereign nations have the right to protect themselves, US president-elect Barack Obama said on Monday, when asked if India could follow the same policy he advocated during his election campaign — of bombing terrorist camps in Pakistan if there was actionable evidence and Islamabad refused to act on it. "

What's this woodie that obama has on for Pakistan? Are Kenya and Pakistan mortal enemies, or something? This desire he has to bomb Pakistan isn't a bit different that GW wanting to bome Saddam...you know, the "other" Hussein.

Maybe it's something to do with that "divided loyalties" that the "natural born citizen" law tries to prevent.

[stubernx98]

Is this Bush strategy 3 or 4?, hmmmm ask Sarah

[BigBobber]

''My administration will remain steadfast in support of India’s effort to catch perpetrators and bring them to justice."

Hey jackass-elect. They are suicide killers. At the end of their killing spree, they're already dead. This is not a law enforcement issue. You have to drain the swamp where they live.

[ballplayer]

No they will go to the UN

[RgnRepublic]

Uncalled for.

[libh8er]

I know. I sort of wished I hadn’t after I posted it, but FR doesn’t let you edit/delete posts.

[Aquinasfan]

Sovereign nations have the right to protect themselves, US president-elect Barack Obama said on Monday

Wooooooow. Obama is so much smarter than us all. Who else could have come up with such a profound insight?

[Mashood]

‘’My administration will remain steadfast in support of India’s effort to catch perpetrators and bring them to justice. I expect the world community will feel the same way,’’

This clinches it...we’ve got nothing to worry about... a true statesman!

[guitarplayer1953]

So when the Palies lob some missiles into Israel then they the the right to defend them selfs right? Oh that’s right the rules of self defense does not apply to the Jewish nation.