WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has said that Saturday`s twin bomb attacks on two synagogues in Istanbul had the fingerprints of al-Qaida terrorist network.
Powell met with German Foreign Minister Joshka Fischer in Washington D.C. on Monday.
Responding questions of journalists following the meeting, Powell said that they did not have enough information to identify the network with the devastating attack that killed 24 people and injured more than 300 others.
Upon a question about synagogue bombings, Powell told reporters that truck bombing that devastated two synagogues in Istanbul, certainly had all the fingerprints that they would expect of an al-Qaida operation.
He noted that he did not know whether or not Turkish authorities were prepared to make that connection.
Powell expressed regret at the loss of life in the bomb attacks, and extended condolences to the families of the dead.
``We once again condemn terrorism in all its forms. We know that the Turkish authorities are outraged, and we are confident that they will do everything in their power to bring all of those responsible to justice,`` he said.
Recalling that he had telephoned Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul following the attacks, Powell said that President George W. Bush had been in touch with Turkish officials, as well.
Meanwhile, Fischer expressed outrage at the attacks saying that the issue was brought onto agenda of their meeting.
He added the attacks had revealed that they could set up a close cooperation.
(UK) 17.11.2003