Coalition says bomb is reminder of continued danger from extremists

International military forces in Afghanistan condemned a terrorist bombing that took place in the southern city of Kandahar January 6, two days after the Loya Jirga adopted a new Afghan constitution.

"This criminal attack reminds us that there are still elements of the former brutal and repressive regime committed to reversing the successes of the Afghan people so recently achieved through the Constitutional Loya Jirga process," the Coalition Press Information Center in Kabul said in a statement January 6.

According to the Associated Press, 13 people, mostly children, were killed and 50 were wounded after a bomb attached to a bicycle exploded on a street often used by U.S. soldiers.

Following is the text of the Coalition Press Information Center statement:

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OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM
COALITION PRESS INFORMATION CENTER
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN
APO AE 09356
Email: bagrampresscenter@baf.cjtf180.army.mil
SAT: 00881676316578

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Number: PR002-0106

Coalition Statement Condemning Criminal IED Attack in Kandahar

Kabul, Afghanistan (January 6, 2004) -- Coalition forces strongly condemn those criminals responsible for the explosive devices detonated in Kandahar today. To those who were injured in today's terrorist violence, and to the families of those innocent Afghans who were killed, coalition forces send their condolences and prayers.

Yesterday, under a tent in Kabul, the people of Afghanistan freely chose the path of reconciliation and tolerance. Today, in the streets of Kandahar, enemies of the Afghan people chose the path of murder and destruction. This criminal attack reminds us that there are still elements of the former brutal and repressive regime committed to reversing the successes of the Afghan people so recently achieved through the Constitutional Loya Jirga process.

While today's deliberate and senseless attack against innocent Afghan civilians is not the first -- and will not likely be the last -- the coalition stands by all Afghans who choose peace over violence, progress over repression, and tolerance over extremism. Freedom can be costly. The price of that freedom is paid not only by Afghan and coalition soldiers, but also -- as seen today -- by the innocent citizens of Kandahar.

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