IUML condemns threat to strike at Islamic holy places

New Delhi, Aug 6 (UNI) The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) today strongly condemned the reported threat by a Republican Presidential candidate that the US should strike at Islamic holy places, and warned of ''serious repercussions worldwide''.

IUML President G M Banatwala, in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said the threat was ''highly provocative'' with serious repercussions worldwide and in blatant violation of the code of conduct.

''The suggested heinous State terrorism is a challenge to the democratic civilised world and particualrly to Muslims all over the world,'' he said in the letter.

He urged the government to lodge a strong protest with the Bush administration.

Mr Banatwala said President George Bush had earlier denied reports that the US wanted to launch strike inside Pakistan in pursuit of Al Qaida and assured Islamabad that Washington respected its sovereignty but was now silent on his Party's Presidential candidate's ''unfortunate'' statement.

UNI