State Dept. offers condolences, antiterrorism assistance

The State Department issued the following statement November 17 condemning the terrorist attacks against two synagogues in Istanbul on the 15th and offering condolences to the families of the victims:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
November 17, 2003

Statement by J. Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman

SYNAGOGUE BOMBINGS IN ISTANBUL

The United States strongly condemns the horrific terrorist attacks against two synagogues in Istanbul earlier today, November 15. Secretary Powell called Foreign Minister Gul to extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims and their families and to the Turkish people. The United States stands strongly with its close ally Turkey in the global war on terrorism. We will assist the Turkish Government in every way possible to respond to this heinous act of terror and its perpetrators.

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