Press Release 2005

Statement from Special Envoy and Us Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalizad on Last Night’s Murders at The Park Internet Café

May 8, 2005

Last night’s bombing in Kabul was an attack not just on the people who were in the Park Internet café but was also an attack against Afghans desire to be part of the larger world. The fact that this terrorist chose a place where Afghans and visitors visited to freely gather and exchange information is not surprising, even though many terrorists use the same means to plot their nefarious activities. Throughout history, despots have sought to prohibit people from reaching out to the world beyond their borders, knowing full well that the evil they use to terrorize their subjects cannot stand up to the pure lights of scrutiny and truth. These tyrants fear truth with the same fervor that other men love freedom.

The horrific murder that took place in Kabul tonight is another example of what the forces of evil will do to succeed. I know that the people of Afghanistan join with the people of the United States and members of the international community in condemning this act of cowardly terror. The hard-won freedom of the Afghan people has come under attack. We are confident that they will not allow it to be taken away by cowards.

The United States extends its condolences to the families of those murdered and to the innocents injured.