This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/30/world/europe/david-cameron-pledges-a-full-spectrum-response-to-tunisia-attack.html

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
David Cameron Pledges a ‘Full Spectrum’ Response to Tunisia Attack David Cameron Pledges a ‘Full Spectrum’ Response to Tunisia Attack
(35 minutes later)
LONDON — Shocked by the worst terrorist attack on Britons in a decade, Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday promised a “full spectrum” response to the assault that is feared to have killed at least 30 British holidaymakers in Tunisia. LONDON — Shocked by the worst terrorist attack on Britons in a decade, Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday promised a “full spectrum” response to the assault that is feared to have killed at least 30 British tourists in Tunisia.
Mr. Cameron dispatched security officials and ministers to the resort in Sousse, Tunisia, where 18 Britons have been confirmed among the victims, and promised to step up the fight against extremism in Britain.Mr. Cameron dispatched security officials and ministers to the resort in Sousse, Tunisia, where 18 Britons have been confirmed among the victims, and promised to step up the fight against extremism in Britain.
On Monday, Theresa May, the home secretary, and a Foreign Office minister, Tobias Ellwood, visited Tunisia, where British officials are working with the local authorities to assess security at the type of beach resorts where a total of 38 people lost their lives on Friday. On Monday, Theresa May, the home secretary, and a Foreign Office minister, Tobias Ellwood, visited Tunisia, where British officials are working with the local authorities to assess security at the type of beach resorts where 39 people died on Friday.
The police in Tunisia are investigating whether the gunman, identified as Seifeddine Rezgui, was aided others. Mr. Rezgui was killed at the scene. The police in Tunisia are investigating whether the gunman, identified as Seifeddine Rezgui, received assistance from other people. Mr. Rezgui was killed at the scene. The authorities in Tunisia said on Monday that they had arrested a group of suspects associated with Mr. Rezgui, Reuters reported, but provided no additional information about how many people had been detained or what charges they faced.
Dozens of British officials have been assigned to the security of consular operations in Tunisia, including 16 senior detectives, specialists in forensics, and family liaison officers. The overall police operation, including those working in Britain, involves “over 600 officers and staff,” London’s Metropolitan Police said in a statement. Dozens of British officials have been assigned to the security of consular operations in Tunisia, including 16 senior detectives, forensic specialists and family liaison officers. The overall police operation, including those working in Britain, involves “over 600 officers and staff,” the Metropolitan Police in London said in a statement.
In concrete policy terms, however, Mr. Cameron’s reaction was cautious, promising neither immediate new antiterror measures at home nor an increase in Britain’s military contribution to the battle against Islamic State militants. In concrete policy terms, however, Mr. Cameron’s reaction was cautious, and he promised neither immediate new antiterror measures at home nor an increase in Britain’s military contribution to the battle against Islamic State militants.
The unpredictable nature of the attack was such that a “knee-jerk” response would not be appropriate, said one British official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. Mr. Cameron cast part of his response in terms of a battle of ideas, arguing that the ideology espoused by Islamic militants posed “an existential threat” to the West in general, and adding that Britain was a “target” and was confronting “the struggle of our generation.”
Instead, Mr. Cameron cast part of his response in terms of a battle of ideas, arguing that the ideology espoused by Islamic militants posed “an existential threat” to the West in general, and adding that Britain was a “target” and was confronting “the struggle of our generation.”
Speaking to the BBC, he compared the situation to the conflict waged against Communism before the fall of the Berlin Wall. “It’s a battle of our values and our narrative against their values and their narrative,” he said. “We have to get that right as well as the military end of things.”Speaking to the BBC, he compared the situation to the conflict waged against Communism before the fall of the Berlin Wall. “It’s a battle of our values and our narrative against their values and their narrative,” he said. “We have to get that right as well as the military end of things.”
“We have to deal with this appalling radical narrative that’s taking over the minds of young people in our country,” Mr. Cameron added.“We have to deal with this appalling radical narrative that’s taking over the minds of young people in our country,” Mr. Cameron added.
The attack in Sousse was the deadliest single terrorist assault involving Britons since 52 commuters and four suicide bombers were killed in attacks on London in July 7, 2005.
Britain has been grappling with complex logistical problems, including the grim task of identifying the dead in Tunisia.
Around a dozen victims who are believed to be British have yet to be identified, and Mr. Cameron’s office said on Monday that the process had been complicated by the fact that many of those killed were not carrying identification while they were at the beach.
A British military plane was to bring back four wounded Britons, with others returning on separate flights, and all were expected to be repatriated within 24 hours, Mr. Cameron’s office said.
The attack has prompted hundreds of tourists to cut short their vacations in Tunisia and to return home. The Foreign Office advised visitors that “further terrorist attacks in Tunisia, including in tourist resorts, are possible, including by individuals who are unknown to the authorities and whose actions are inspired by terrorist groups via social media.”
As the authorities reassessed the situation in Tunisia, officials conceded that Britons were vulnerable in several other countries. In Britain itself, the current national threat level is “severe,” meaning that a terrorist attack is judged as highly likely.