*EPF404 09/02/2004
Text: U.S. Condemns Slaying of Nepalese Workers in Iraq
(State Dept deplores targeting people working to rebuild Iraq) (320)

The United States has condemned the murder of 12 Nepalese nationals by a militant group in Iraq and extended its condolences to the Nepalese government and people as well as the families of the victims.

"The Nepalese workers were in Iraq to help rebuild that country and to provide a better life for the people of Iraq," said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher in a September 1 statement. He said that the murder of these civilian construction workers, who were there to help the Iraqis, "demonstrates the contempt these armed groups have for the Iraqi people."

A group calling itself Jaish Ansar al-Sunna claimed to have taken the Nepalese men hostage August 23. The workers were in Iraq under contract with the Jordan-based services firm, Morning Star Company.

Boucher reaffirmed the United States' commitment to continue working towards stability and an end to terrorist violence in Iraq.

Following is the text of Boucher's statement:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
(Panama City, Panama)
September 1, 2004

STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN

Murder of Nepalese Hostages in Iraq

The United States condemns in the strongest terms the murder of Nepalese hostages in Iraq. Secretary Powell spoke yesterday with Prime Minister Deuba to offer our condolences to the government of Nepal, the people of Nepal and the families of the victims.

The Nepalese workers were in Iraq to help rebuild that country and to provide a better life for the people of Iraq. This latest murder of civilians engaged in helping with Iraq's reconstruction by a militant group demonstrates the contempt these armed groups have for the Iraqi people. The United States is committed to ensuring the stability of Iraq, and will continue to work closely with the Iraqi government to end terrorist violence, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

Return to Public File Main Page

Return to Public Table of Contents