State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli Condemns Attack During Daily Press Briefing.
QUESTION: Adam, in Sri Lanka, seemingly a reversion to the kind of violence that years ago -- a suicide bombing yesterday and now the military seems to have gone into action against Tamil Tiger, I just wonder does the United States have a reaction or do anything --
MR. ERELI: Well, this is clearly an act of terror which we condemn. It is an attack against the Sri Lankan Government authorities, wounding the chief of staff and killing five of his entourage. It is an unacceptable act of terror, a clear provocation and escalation of violence. We express our sympathies and condolences to the victims of this attack and we'll continue our efforts to work with the parties in Sri Lanka, the friends of Sri Lanka, including the Norwegians and all those who want to see a solution to this conflict through dialogue and through negotiation and not through violence.
QUESTION: Can I talk a little bit to liaison with the government? Have you had contacts here in Washington with any of the diplomats and what are the outcomes of those conversations?
MR. ERELI: I don't have anything to report to you from here in Washington. I think we've been working with our European partners, particularly the Norwegians and others to see what we can do as a group to try to respond effectively to this provocation, as well as to further advance the peace process which we're all committed to.