Israel sends defense, forensics team to Mumbai
30 Nov 2008, 1736 hrs IST, AP
JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Sunday he was pleased with India's cooperation throughout the deadly Mumbai siege, toning
down criticism voiced by Israeli security experts of the Indian military's handling of the standoff.
Olmert's comments appeared to be aimed at heading off tensions with India, a close and important Israeli ally. At least seven Israelis taken hostage in a Jewish center were among those killed during the three-day ordeal.
Speaking at the weekly meeting of his Cabinet, Olmert said there had been ``proper and correct cooperation'' with India throughout the crisis. Olmert said there was ``no doubt'' the attacks targeted Jewish institutions.
While noting that Israel had offered assistance, he said there was never any talk of sending in Israeli forces.
``At no stage was there a possibility that Israel would need to carry out, or would want to carry out, things that the Indian government, and its trained and powerful army, can do on their own,'' he said.
``I'm pleased with this cooperation and take this opportunity to thank the Indian government for deciding to keep us updated throughout the events.''
At least 174 people were massacred in the rampage carried out by gunmen at 10 sites across Mumbai starting Wednesday night. Nine of the victims were killed at Mumbai's Chabad House, a Jewish center targeted by the assailants. All were Jewish, and at least seven were Israelis, Israel's Foreign Ministry said.
Israeli newspapers and radio broadcasts Sunday included interviews with security experts who said India had bungled its response. And on Friday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said it was clear than Indian forces were not on par with elite Israeli units.
``I'm not sure it had to last three days, but that's what happened,'' he said Friday night. Earlier, Barak said Israel had offered India assistance in handling the attack but had been turned down.
Olmert's conciliatory comments appeared to be an attempt at ratcheting down the criticism of India, which has become a valuable ally and trading partner for Israel in recent years. Many Israeli high-tech companies have set up operations in India, and India is a major customer for advanced Israeli weapons.
There has been no public Indian reaction to the Israeli criticism. But on Sunday, India's top security official offered his resignation in the face of growing accusations of security failures.
Israel dispatched two high-ranking security men on Sunday to India to assist with the investigation in Mumbai.
The two security men, one a representative of the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the other from the Shin Bet security service, are already in Mumbai, defense officials said. They are taking part in the investigation and also coordinating security at Israeli sites in India with local authorities.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the Israelis' presence was not officially made public.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said a seven-member forensics team was leaving Sunday for Mumbai to help identify the bodies of the Israelis. An Israeli air force plane was to fly the team to India and return with the bodies.
Israel sends defense, forensics team to Mumbai-Gulf-World-The Times of India