Associated Press
July 18, 2005
Congressman suggests way to retaliate for nuclear terror
Spokesman: Tancredo was speaking hypothetically
DENVER, Colorado -- A Colorado congressman told a radio show host that
the U.S. could "take out" Islamic holy sites if Muslim fundamentalist
terrorists attacked the country with nuclear weapons.
Rep. Tom Tancredo made his remarks Friday on WFLA-AM in Orlando,
Florida. His spokesman stressed he was only speaking hypothetically.
Talk show host Pat Campbell asked the Littleton Republican how the
country should respond if terrorists struck several U.S. cities with
nuclear weapons.
"Well, what if you said something like -- if this happens in the United
States, and we determine that it is the result of extremist,
fundamentalist Muslims, you know, you could take out their holy sites,"
Tancredo answered.
"You're talking about bombing Mecca," Campbell said.
"Yeah," Tancredo responded.
The congressman later said he was "just throwing out some ideas" and
that an "ultimate threat" might have to be met with an "ultimate
response."
Spokesman Will Adams said Sunday the four-term congressman doesn't
support threatening holy Islamic sites but that Tancredo was grappling
with the hypothetical situation of a terrorist strike deadlier than the
September 11, 2001, attacks.
"We have an enemy with no uniform, no state, who looks like you and me
and only emerges right before an attack. How do we go after someone
like that?" Adams said.
"What is near and dear to them? They're willing to sacrifice everything
in this world for the next one. What is the pressure point that would
deter them from their murderous impulses?" he said.
Mohammad Noorzai, coordinator of the Colorado Muslim Council, said
Tancredo's remarks were radical and unrepresentative but that people in
Tancredo's position need to watch their words when it comes to sacred
religious sites and texts.
