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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| John Kerry, in Brussels, Says ISIS Is Faltering in Mideast | John Kerry, in Brussels, Says ISIS Is Faltering in Mideast |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Islamic State is desperately lashing out in Europe because its base in the Middle East is rapidly eroding, Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday in Brussels, where he traveled to demonstrate the United States’ support for Belgium three days after bombs killed 31 people, including at least two Americans. | The Islamic State is desperately lashing out in Europe because its base in the Middle East is rapidly eroding, Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday in Brussels, where he traveled to demonstrate the United States’ support for Belgium three days after bombs killed 31 people, including at least two Americans. |
| “We will not be intimidated, we will not be deterred,” Mr. Kerry said, directly addressing Islamic State militants who have struck Paris; Ankara, Turkey; Tunis; San Bernardino, Calif.; and elsewhere. “And we will come back with greater resolve, with greater strength, and we will not rest until we have eliminated your nihilistic beliefs and cowardice from the face of this earth.” | “We will not be intimidated, we will not be deterred,” Mr. Kerry said, directly addressing Islamic State militants who have struck Paris; Ankara, Turkey; Tunis; San Bernardino, Calif.; and elsewhere. “And we will come back with greater resolve, with greater strength, and we will not rest until we have eliminated your nihilistic beliefs and cowardice from the face of this earth.” |
| Mr. Kerry, standing next to Prime Minister Charles Michel of Belgium, said that 66 nations, including Belgium, had joined a coalition devoted to fighting the Islamic State, also known as ISIS and ISIL. | Mr. Kerry, standing next to Prime Minister Charles Michel of Belgium, said that 66 nations, including Belgium, had joined a coalition devoted to fighting the Islamic State, also known as ISIS and ISIL. |
| “The very reason that Daesh is resorting to actions outside of the Middle East is that its fantasy of a caliphate is collapsing before their eyes,” he said, using the Arabic acronym for the organization. “Its territory is shrinking every day, its leaders are being decimated, its revenue resources are dwindling, and its fighters are fleeing,” he said. | “The very reason that Daesh is resorting to actions outside of the Middle East is that its fantasy of a caliphate is collapsing before their eyes,” he said, using the Arabic acronym for the organization. “Its territory is shrinking every day, its leaders are being decimated, its revenue resources are dwindling, and its fighters are fleeing,” he said. |
| Mr. Kerry said that “basic decency and humanity” were the most effective responses to terrorism. He singled out Dr. Laura Billiet, an American who rushed to a police station after bombs ripped through Brussels Airport, and who immediately set up triage operations, tending to victims with burns and shrapnel wounds, with limited supplies at hand. “No statement could be simpler, and yet no statement could really be more powerful,” he said. | Mr. Kerry said that “basic decency and humanity” were the most effective responses to terrorism. He singled out Dr. Laura Billiet, an American who rushed to a police station after bombs ripped through Brussels Airport, and who immediately set up triage operations, tending to victims with burns and shrapnel wounds, with limited supplies at hand. “No statement could be simpler, and yet no statement could really be more powerful,” he said. |
| Mr. Kerry confirmed that at least two American citizens were among the dead in Brussels, although their names have not been made public. | Mr. Kerry confirmed that at least two American citizens were among the dead in Brussels, although their names have not been made public. |
| “The United States, I want you to know, is praying and grieving with you for the loved ones of those who have been very cruelly taken from us — including Americans — and for the many who were injured in these despicable attacks,” he said. | “The United States, I want you to know, is praying and grieving with you for the loved ones of those who have been very cruelly taken from us — including Americans — and for the many who were injured in these despicable attacks,” he said. |
| The United States has become keenly attuned to the Islamic State’s use of social media to disseminate its propaganda, and Mr. Kerry appeared to have carefully calibrated his remarks to appeal to Muslims. | The United States has become keenly attuned to the Islamic State’s use of social media to disseminate its propaganda, and Mr. Kerry appeared to have carefully calibrated his remarks to appeal to Muslims. |
| “Those whose lives were torn apart this week were not combatants in any kind of conflict,” he said. “They posed no threat. They wished no one any harm. They were simply going about their lives: airport and subway workers; a Peruvian mother of twins who was training to be a chef; an American personal trainer flying home for Easter; an Indian employee of a high-tech firm; Mormon missionaries; public servants; teachers; tourists.” | “Those whose lives were torn apart this week were not combatants in any kind of conflict,” he said. “They posed no threat. They wished no one any harm. They were simply going about their lives: airport and subway workers; a Peruvian mother of twins who was training to be a chef; an American personal trainer flying home for Easter; an Indian employee of a high-tech firm; Mormon missionaries; public servants; teachers; tourists.” |
| He added: “Contrast these good people, innocent people, with the twisted killers who planted the bombs, terrorists whose sole aim was to kill and maim and sow fear. There, in the sharpest relief possible, we see in that, the difference between life and death, between decency and evil, and between civilization and those who revel in destruction.” | He added: “Contrast these good people, innocent people, with the twisted killers who planted the bombs, terrorists whose sole aim was to kill and maim and sow fear. There, in the sharpest relief possible, we see in that, the difference between life and death, between decency and evil, and between civilization and those who revel in destruction.” |
| Mr. Kerry and Mr. Michel spoke together at the prime minister’s residence. Mr. Michel kept his remarks brief, acknowledging that “we need to improve the fight against terrorism in Europe and in Belgium.” | Mr. Kerry and Mr. Michel spoke together at the prime minister’s residence. Mr. Michel kept his remarks brief, acknowledging that “we need to improve the fight against terrorism in Europe and in Belgium.” |
| He added: “The history between the United States and Europe has been a steady one. They’ve always been side by side.” Switching to English, he said, “I wish also to express my condolences to the American victims.” | He added: “The history between the United States and Europe has been a steady one. They’ve always been side by side.” Switching to English, he said, “I wish also to express my condolences to the American victims.” |