New Delhi, Oct 06: Clearly hinting at Pakistan, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today asked all nations to universally resolve not to provide any assistance to a country which indulged in or promoted terrorism. The lesson to be learnt from the 9/11 attacks in the US was that every country must combat terrorism. "At least one thing can be resolved absolutely by every country universally that come what may, we will not give any kind of assistance to a country which indulges in terror," he said.

Inaugurating an international conference of the Eastern Regional Organisation for Public Administration (EROPA) here, Advani said, "We may or may not have the capacity to overcome the menace or join efforts to overcome it, but at least this must be resolved that under no circumstances, any civilised nation would extend any kind of support to a country which indulges in or promotes terror". Recalling Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 2000 speech at the US Congress that distance cannot provide immunity to terror attacks as it had done to America during the two world wars, he said that statement became "so prophetic" that US experienced the 9/11 terror strikes next year itself.

"The lessons from that tragedy and trauma should be that all countries must resolve that we must combat terror", Advani said, adding that the battle against the menace was linked with providing good governance to the people.

Bureau Report