US: Too early to consider bomb attack an act of terrorism

[Lite Beer]

US: Too early to consider bomb attack an act of terrorism

BANGKOK, 18 August 2015 (NNT) - UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and several nations have expressed their condolences to the victims of the Ratchaprasong bombing. Meanwhile the United States has not so far identified the incident as an act of terrorism.

Spokesperson for the US Department of State, John Kirby said it is too early to tell whether the incident was conducted out by terrorists, adding that Thai authorities have been conducting their own investigations and have yet to ask the United States for assistance.

China’s government network CCTV has reported that over 30 volunteers consisting of Chinese expatriates in Thailand, and Thais of Chinese descent, have traveled to hospitals in Bangkok to act as interpreters for Chinese-speaking victims. Many Bangkok residents have also traveled to hospitals to donate blood.

-- NNT 2015-08-19

[puukao]

Well, it's not an act of happiness.

[ldnguy]

Do the USA have a different definition for terrorists to everyone else?

[Bluespunk]

A bomb that is planted in an area full of people going about their lives, killing 20 and injuring many, many more.

What else needs to happen for it to be considered terrorism?

[RubberBroke]

Do the USA have a different definition for terrorists to everyone else?

That depends on the politics of the moment.

[Puwa]

Maybe they can get some volunteers to act as journalists as well.

[anto]

So its not just Thais that are stupid .? (I myself dont think Thais are stupid by the way .)

[Yunla]

If anything, the silence from the persons behind this atrocity, is more terrifying than attacks where responsibility is claimed immediately. In terms of creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, this attack is more terroristic than many others I have seen where the attackers put their name to it immediately. The aftermath of somebody planting bombs anonymously and not saying why, is more terrifying to me than the claimed attacks. This would seem to be intentional, the creation of fear and uncertainty, and thus classic terrorism. It is only labels anyway, it doesn't change the situation on the ground at all.

[Loptr]

More bizarro statements coming from the US, much like there is no such thing as an islamic terrorist...

By very definition, what happened at the Erawan shrine is a terrorist act, regardless of who did it...

[willyumiii]

Do the USA have a different definition for terrorists to everyone else?

Yes!

In America if an American blows things up and kills innocent people it is not terrorism.

Terrorist are always foreigners in America.

By their way of thinking, if A Thai person did this...it is not terrorism???

[manarak]

Spokesperson for the US Department of State, John Kirby said it is too early to tell whether the incident was conducted out by terrorists

weird statement.

the act itself is certainly of terrorist nature, but the US suggest it might not have been carried out by terroritsts... hmmm...

is that just yet another jab at the junta by the US, suggesting the US don't totally exclude the possibility the military did it?

or do the US want to avoid at all costs to be associated or in any way approving of the junta?

[fish fingers]

I guess if they don't call out the Israeli shellings of schools, then this isn't classed as a terror attack either in their minds

[CosmicSurfer]

Do the USA have a different definition for terrorists to everyone else?

In the USA, if someone stubs a toe, and it can be even peripherally linked to a Muslim, It is Branded Terrorism....

Terrorism, even DOMESTIC Terrorism, is a premeditated act of violence directed at Innocent Civilians!!!

It doesn't matter what the Religion or Politics is about... It is Terror!!!

CS

[MrTee]

A very strange statement..

[slipperylobster]

Do the USA have a different definition for terrorists to everyone else?

Yes!

In America if an American blows things up and kills innocent people it is not terrorism.

Terrorist are always foreigners in America.

By their way of thinking, if A Thai person did this...it is not terrorism???

Actually, there are some cases of Americans in America that were labeled as terrorists.

Oklahoma City Bombing (Tim McVeigh) for example.

And others. (domestic terrorists)

I don't agree with you that only foreigners are terrorists in America.

Here is a long (not all inclusive) list that demonstrates this.

http://www.historyguy.com/biofiles/domestic_terrorists_and_assassins.html

[MrTee]

seems to be yet another fail by Thai press

Here is what the US spokesperson said

http://nwnt.prd.go.th/centerapp/Common/GetFile.aspx?FileUrl=~/Uploads/Image/2558/08/18/PNPOL580818001006506.png

[HeijoshinCool]

As soon as Obama finds out it wasn't Muslims, the US will call it terrorism.

[mauGR1]

Well, if this is not terrorism, i don't know what it is.

But if someone is able to read between the lines..

... It may be quite revealing.

[MockingJay]

What an utterly stupid statement!!!!! As what else than terror should the killing of 20+ innocent people and 100+ wounded by a planted bomb be considered then??? Brain matter seems to be rare these days, especially in the US... too many burgers, pizza and coke I guess...

[tubby johnson]

<deleted>?!? ... If this had happened in the US then every chubby Yank, bible freak, media pundit and government spokesman would have instantly yelled, "Act of terrorism".

[SaamBaht]

Do the USA have a different definition for terrorists to everyone else?

In fairness, he was speaking on Monday afternoon EST, just hours after the explosion, before any of the CCTV camera info was revealed. He was just being a cautious bureaucrat. And he's just a talking head.

Of course, so many hate the yanks that they'll jump on anything to have a go at them.

[zaphod reborn]

Do the USA have a different definition for terrorists to everyone else?

You need to look up the definition of terrorism. It requires a political motive. Do you have proof of a political motive?

[tubby johnson]

Do the USA have a different definition for terrorists to everyone else?

You need to look up the definition of terrorism. It requires a political motive. Do you have proof of a political motive?

Does freedomland USA ever bother searching for proof of a political motive?

[SaamBaht]

What an utterly stupid statement!!!!! As what else than terror should the killing of 20+ innocent people and 100+ wounded by a planted bomb be considered then??? Brain matter seems to be rare these days, especially in the US... too many burgers, pizza and coke I guess...

Again, it was only a few hours after the explosion on Monday. If you read the briefing, the actual briefing, you'll see the guy is handling quite a few questions about quite a few countries. How much time he had to prepare for Thailand is unknown. An explosion, let's wait and see what the evidence is.

You're judging after two days of investigation. Those yanks sure are dirty dealers but man you got a hard on for them.

[SaamBaht]

Do the USA have a different definition for terrorists to everyone else?

You need to look up the definition of terrorism. It requires a political motive. Do you have proof of a political motive?

Does freedomland USA ever bother searching for proof of a political motive?

I think this is a case where people started judging the U.S. spokesman before realizing when the man had exactly spoke. The news service reported his words on the 18th. He spoke on the 17th just hours after the explosion. Everyone condemned his comments on the 19th. He may very well have a different opinion today as well. Let's wait and see, shall we?

[MockingJay]

So terror is terrorism only with a political motive behind? What do we call the Bkk bombing then? An act of prfzzblm???? or guerilla warfare????

[MockingJay]

Isn't muslim extremism and their bombings called terror too? Wasn't 9/11 called an act of terrorism? Was it politically motivated? No, it was religious motivation, wasn't it?

[Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere]

Do the USA have a different definition for terrorists to everyone else?

Uh Yep...

[spidermike007]

It is always so hard to determine what the motives of the US govt. are. They are so quick to label acts against the US as terrorism. What else was it? Just a guy having a really bad day? How can a freak or a group who blows up a site like this, with the intent to utterly waste a big crowd not be considered an act of terrorism? Was it just the work of a really bad guy?

[Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere]

It not a surprise to any of us that Thailand hasn't ask for assistance from any country that could help them solve this incident. Maybe in every case, there is the possibility that outside help will uncover more than the truth.