RIYADH, 1 June 2004 — As heads of missions condemned the weekend’s terror attacks, other embassy officials were battling red tape to repatriate the bodies of those killed in Alkhobar. Indian Ambassador Kamaluddin Ahmad expressed his deep regret at the deaths of 22 people of different nationalities including eight Indians in the attacks and ensuing hostage drama.
“Our first priority is to repatriate the dead bodies as soon as possible to enable the relatives to pay their last respects to their loved ones” at home, the embassy’s First Secretary T.N. Anantha Krishna told Arab News.
He added that the embassy sent two teams with Arabic translators to the Eastern Province to provide consular and other services including informing the next-of-kin of those who were killed.
To get clearance certificates from the Governorate of the Eastern Province, the mission must first obtain certificates from the police and the sponsoring company. Krishna said the Indians who died all had bachelor status in their residence papers.
The labor and welfare officer of the Sri Lankan Embassy, Mohammed Jiffrey, told Arab News from Dammam one of the murdered Sri Lankans was married while the other was single. Chandana Pradeep Anthony lived with his wife, and arrangements have been made for her to accompany her husband’s body. The other victim, Sivasubramaniam, lived alone.
Jiffrey said most of the workers who died had been working for a reputable multi-national company and he hoped that their life would be suitably compensated since they died at work.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Ambassador Ibrahim Sahib Ansar will meet with Eastern Province Governor Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd to discuss the security and welfare of other Sri Lankans working in the region.
Ansar said he would take up the matter of compensation due to the two killed Sri Lankans and make necessary arrangements for the transport of the bodies. The ambassador will also meet Sri Lankans in the Eastern Province.
The charge d’affaires of the US Embassy here, Gary Grappo, on behalf of his country expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. “We sympathize with the families who have lost loved ones, and we hope for the quick recovery of those injured,” he said.
“These acts of horror that were committed in Alkhobar are the worst form of evil. Those who terrorize and kill innocent people violate all the laws of civilized human behavior, sow only fear and hatred and seek to destroy the future,” Grappo said.
He said the events in Alkhobar underscored “the vital need for the world community to redouble its efforts to overcome terrorism”.
He also praised Saudi security forces for the evacuation of a number of Americans from the Oasis Compound.
“Their bravery saved lives, and those saved, their families and the American people are most grateful,” he said.
