Скачать или смотреть UK ambassador says Pakistan not to blame for July 7 London attacks

(12 Aug 2005) SHOTLIST

1. SOUNDBITE: (English) Mark Lyall Grant, British High Commissioner
"The suicide bombers of July 7 were not Pakistani. They were British. It is true that three were of Pakistani origin, and that at least 2 had travelled to Pakistan on a number of occasions. But all four were brought up, educated and presumably radicalised in the UK. There is no question of blaming Pakistan for these attacks. Nor will UK/Pakistan relations be adversely affected by them."

STORYLINE

The British ambassador said on Friday that there was "no question" of blaming Pakistan for the July 7 bombings that killed 56 people in London.

"The suicide bombers of July 7 were not Pakistani. They were British," British High Commissioner Mark Lyall Grant told a news conference.

The four - Hasib Hussain, the 18-year-old Tavistock Square bus bomber; Mohammad Sidique Khan, who killed seven at Edgware Road; Aldgate bomber Shehzad Tanweer; and Russell Square bomber Germaine Lindsay - all died in the blasts.

Grant also said Pakistani-British relations would not be adversely affected by the attacks.

The British High Commissioner voiced support for a Pakistan government plan to expel more than 1,400 foreign students, including Britons, from religious schools across Pakistan, citing a minority as causing trouble.

Two weeks ago, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf also promised to arrest leaders of banned extremist groups.

The Pakistani leader said he was now in a stronger position to campaign against religious militants than during a limited crackdown in 2002, in which some extremist outfits were outlawed only to emerge under new names.

Pakistani authorities have detained hundreds of people suspected of links with militant groups in recent weeks, including some preachers accused of spreading sectarianism and hatred, but no prominent leaders of banned militant groups have been reported arrested.

Grant refused to discuss details of investigations into the July 7 bombings, but added that Britain was receiving "excellent cooperation" from Pakistan.

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