July 19, 2005

Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) suggests support for bombing Mecca

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/18/05) � The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said today that it is working with leaders of the Colorado Muslim community to set up a meeting with Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) over his recent remarks suggesting support for bombing Mecca, Islam's holiest site. Tancredo made the remarks during an interview on the Pat Campbell Show in Florida last Thursday discussing what should be done in response to an attack on this country by �extremist fundamentalist Muslims.� Tancredo said one possible response would be to �take out their holy sites.� When Campbell asked if the congressman was �talking about bombing Mecca,� Tancredo replied, �Yeah.� To listen to an excerpt of the interview, go to: http://www.cairfl.org/audio/Tancredo_comments_071405.mp3 On Sunday, Tancredo released a statement saying he was just trying to figure out how the United States could deter future attacks. The statement said: "Among the many things we might do to prevent such an attack on America would be to lay out there as a possibility the destruction of these sites.�

�I do not advocate this,� said Tancredo in his statement. �Much more thought would need to be given to the potential ramifications of such a horrific response." SEE: �Tancredo Clarifies 'Ultimate Response'� http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_3934448,00.html - http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_ 15_3934448,00.html