India briefs more countries on Pak role in Mumbai attacks

Building up its campaign to mobilise the world, India on Tuesday shared evidence linking Pakistan-based elements to the Mumbai attacks with around 50 more countries, many of which found New Delhi's case "strong" and "elaborate".
     
Foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon held special briefing sessions in groups for the envoys of the countries from Arab world besides those from Latin America, Africa and
Europe.

Menon on Monday gave a similar briefing to diplomats of about 15 countries, including the US, UK, Israel, France, whose nationals were killed during the attacks. He told the diplomats that investigations have clearly pointed to involvement of elements based in Pakistan in the Mumbai attacks with possibly the support of people in the Pakistani establishment.

He gave them a detailed account of how 10-heavily armed Pakistani terrorists came from Karachi and carried out attacks in Mumbai on November 26 last year and how they were in touch with their handlers in Pakistan even during the three-day engagement with security forces.

Menon also cited the confession of Mohammad Ajmal Amir, the lone Pakistani terrorist arrested during the attacks. He has given details of commando-type training imparted to him and nine other terrorists who were killed in the encounter with security forces.

"The evidence was strong... very strong evidence.. It was a very good presentation," Deputy Chief of Brazil High Commission JC Fonseka said after attending the briefing.
    
Columbian Ambassador Juan Alfredo Pinto Saavedra said, "It was a very well-prepared material.. very serious and off course in elaboration."

Ambassador of an Arab country, on request of anonymity, said the "information" provided at the briefing would be helpful in enabling the country firm up its position on the issue.
     
Asked whether evidence with India is "strong enough" to make Pakistan act, he said "any country facing terrorism has a strong case. We are on the same side with India on the issue of terrorism."

The Columbian envoy said "India has our total solidarity in the fight against terrorism...India has all the solidarity in this fight against terrorists.. from wherever they are coming and to wherever they are going."
     
Asked whether Columbia supports India's demand to Pakistan for extradition of terrorists involved in the Mumbai attacks, he said, "India is today not asking ambassadors for this."
     
Burkina Faso Ambassador Idriss Raoua Ouedraogo also replied in the affirmative when asked whether the evidence given by India are "strong enough".
      
On whether his country would support Indian's demand for handing over of the Pakistan-based terrorists, he said, "Our government has been supporting all actions against terrorism."