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December 5, 2009

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Reid backs India before visiting nation

Benjamin Grove

Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1999 | 11:50 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., sounded his support today for the government of India, which is negotiating with hijackers who seized an Indian Airlines plane six days ago. The carefully timed statement comes about a week before Reid leaves for India.

"The hijacking of the Indian Airlines jet and murder of an innocent civilian are reprehensible acts of lawlessness and must be condemned by the international community," Reid said in a prepared statement.

Reid will be a member of a congressional delegation leaving on a trip to six nations beginning Jan. 6. He is preparing for an 11-day trip to Italy, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Egypt and the United Kingdom, in that order. Reid expects that terrorism will be a topic of discussion in talks with foreign officials.

"Combating terrorism at home and abroad will be one of our biggest national security challenges in the new century, and because it is a global problem, it demands a global response from peace-loving nations," Reid said.

Reid and the delegation will be meeting with officials from India and Pakistan, long-time rival nations that have fought two wars over the region of Kashmir.

The delegation will talk about the security of nations in South Asia as well as curbing nuclear proliferation.

Reid spokesman Mark Schuermann said the delicate meetings with India and Pakistan would amount to "primarily briefings."

Reid also plans to discuss expanding U.S. trade with India, particularly high-tech industry trade. He plans to tour an IBM plant in New Delhi.

The U.S. exported $3.6 billion worth of goods to India in 1998, Schuermann said. The U.S. imported $8.2 billion in goods from India.

"This is the largest democracy in the world," Schuermann said. "It's a region that you really can't ignore."

Reid also plans to meet with Nevada soldiers stationed in Naples, Italy, on Jan. 7.

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