On a nationally televised coverage, American President George Bush called it an 'act of war' by 'terrorists'. Terming the attacks a 'despicable act', the President urged his countrymen not to heed to rumors and implored them to 'remain calm and carry on with their shopping'. He said that would be the best way to reply to what he claimed to be the work of terrorists. Later seen munching pretzels and McDonald's hamburger along with a can of Diet Pepsi, the American President spent an evening with his twin daughters - Jenna and Barbara - in the White House bunker watching The Sound of Music in front of live television cameras, trying to convey the message that things were under control and that the flag of American values was flying at full mast.
Meanwhile US government has halted all flight operations in the country.
American publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal have demanded strong action against what it claims to be a terrorist attack. The country's media at large has placed full faith in the "spirit of New York,' which is variously described as "indomitable", "never say die" and "undying".
New York is the nation's commercial capital and the heart of its vibrant fashion and literary scene.
There has been concern that anger over the incident could ignite racial violence in a country where Blacks and Whites have engaged in deadly clashes in the past.
Meanwhile messages of condolence are pouring forth from all over the world.
In a related devlopment, Liberian government has issued a travel advisory to its citizens asking them to postpone plans to travel to the United States in the near future. Pakistan's National Baseball Team is also considering cancellation of its October tour to the country.
U.S. officials said the incident, which they termed as 'attack on America', looks like the handiwork of Afghanistan-based Al-Qaeda network. The North American giant has been embroiled in a bitter conflict with this transnational Islamist organization, which it says is operated by terrorists, in the violent-ridden Hindukush region for over a decade.
Moraes Zogoiby reported from New York City for this article, and Lata Mehra from Washington DC. Mayank Singh contributed reporting from Monrovia, Muhammad Ashraf from Karachi, and Salim Sinai from New Delhi.
Article comments
1 - Aaman
Powerful and hard-hitting, Mayank, going to replace the DC version with this one, if you don't mind
2 - gonzo marx
Mayank...compelling, powerful and insightful Truths here...
/golfclap
you strike to the Heart of many things, bringing to the Attention fo your Readers the unbalanced View from here in the U.S.
i feel a swelling of bittersweet kinship with India when someone from there reminds U.S. that in India, "all were New Yorkers for one day"
here in the U.S. it is often Forgotten just how much the U.S. and India share, rather than the obvious differences...
this American wants to thanks you, and Aaman...and all of those from your part of the World, who take the time to share your Thoughts and writings for those of U.S. on the other side of the world to Contemplate...
namaste'
Excelsior?
3 - Sanjay
What riles me is the Bush admin on the one hand saying "We Are With India" after these bombings, and then on the other hand he's getting ready to send a whole fleet of F16 aircraft to Pakistan (ie. "Psst! Quick! Get those F16s out the door and over to Pakistan before someone says something!")
Now that's ugly hypocrisy.
4 - Serket
I am currently reading "The World is Flat" and coming to understand how important India will be in the world economy. Plus there are some inspiring words from an Indian about what makes America great.
5 - Mayank 'Austen' Singh
Thanks for the comments. Please Aaman, replace the desicritics version with this one.
6 - Suresh
Can I use this article translated in Tamil?
7 - Mayank Austen Soofi
Suresh, for which website or publication? And, please make sure to give my byline. Thanks.
8 - Maurice
"...suddenly decide to play neutral. The terrorists are turned into 'militants'. The bomb blasts are described as 'what is claimed to be a terrorist attack'."
I'm disatisfied/pissed off at our 'American media' also. Even more irritating than the term 'militants' is the equally innocuous sounding 'insurgents'. I may have a stroke if I read the non-declarative "allegedly" one more time.
Sanjay - it has already happened. I work in an engineering group of about 500 people. Majority are from India.