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ISLAMABAD: The massacre by the Taliban at the Army Public School in Peshawar is “Pakistan’s 9/11”, Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said on Friday.
The assault that left at least 148 students and staff dead will change Pakistan’s approach to fighting terrorism, he told AFP in an interview.
Mr Aziz said the deadliest terrorist attack in the country’s history, was a “game changer”.
Know more: Apologists will be regarded as terrorists, allies of terrorists: Sherry Rehman
“This has shaken the entire Pakistani society to the core, and in many ways it’s a threshold in our strategy for countering terrorism,” he said. “Just like 9/11 changed the US and the world forever, this 16/12 is kind of our mini 9/11.”
Pakistan has long been accused of playing a double game with militant groups, supporting those it thinks it can use for its own strategic ends.
But Mr Aziz said that way of thinking was at an end after Tuesday, when heavily-armed terrorists from the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) went from room to room at the school, slaughtering children.
“The distinction between some groups you want to target and some groups you don’t want to target has virtually disappeared,” he said.
“It was realised that in the end they support each other and that if you do this you’re creating space which can become dangerous in the future. So it’s a game changer.”
The TTP, which has claimed responsibility for the school carnage, has killed thousands in their seven-year insurgency, but Mr Aziz said the nature of the Peshawar attack was radically different from what had gone before.
“It was targeted at the children, and those children who were injured, they fired back at them to kill them,” he said. Mr Aziz said that as well as restarting hangings in terrorism cases, the government would look at reforms to address blockages in the justice system.
The government will investigate “legal changes to facilitate trials and convictions because right now it’s very difficult to convict many people”, he said.
Published in Dawn December 20th , 2014
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Comments (65) Closed
Dec 20, 2014 06:51am
Show your sincerety in action. Stop talking!
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Dec 20, 2014 06:56am
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“The distinction between some groups you want to target and some groups you don’t want to target has virtually disappeared,” he said.
“It was realised that in the end they support each other and that if you do this you’re creating space which can become dangerous in the future. So it’s a game changer.” --- Sartaj Aziz
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So Mr. Sartaj, now you understand this? Der Aaye, Durust Aaye!
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Dec 20, 2014 07:05am
It is good to see that Mr. Aziz has seemingly changed his stance on continuing the insane policy of 'Strategic Depth' which has brought so much grief to the country.
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Dec 20, 2014 07:39am
I'm perplexed. Can anyone help answer the following:
1. Who are these people
2. What is it they want
3. Who supports them, financially, logistically, otherwise
4. How come they seem to move so freely when others can't leave house without going through a checkpoint
5. Who is training them and where
6. Why do they preferentially target security establishmen
7. Is there a way out besides risking annihilation of the entire social structure of the country
8. Is there a resolve and consensus to bring an end to this problem without which social norms will continue to cease to exist
9. Is it possible to bring this problem to an end and if so what are the options
10. If so, who has the plan which obviously has to be other than an unending perpetual war which no one can sustain
11. Who is leading the charge
12. Who would coordinate, examine, analyze outcomes
13. What is the magnitude of this problem
14. Could this issue be resolved with force alone. Going by what has been reported the issue in part is ideological and it is difficult to defeat ideology with force alone.
15. What could be the downstream consequences if this problem goes unabated or unresolved for however long and would the society still be able to sustain itself.
It seems a course readjustment is clearly warranted.
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Dec 20, 2014 07:46am
It too so many years to realize Mr. Aziz ? After so much of blood is shed ?? Whole world was screaming since ages... Isn't it ?
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Dec 20, 2014 07:55am
If Peshawar massacre on 16/12 is to be treated as 9/11 of Pakistan, then Government will have to do more to revenge the young lives, creating a monument near the school sight as a constant reminder and candlelit vigil every year to remember those young lives lost to the savagery of hardliners not forgetting the brave teachers who sacrificed.their lives to save many young lives. The Government should provide counselling to all those who need it as some or most may require counselling for a long while.
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Dec 20, 2014 08:02am
It was Sartaj Aziz not so long ago when he emphasized, through his mumbo-jumbo, that there were "good" and "bad" terrorists; the former were those who were directed against the neighbours (notably India) while the "bad" ones were those who targeted Pakistan. Clearly, he wanted to the "good" terrorists to be sheltered and strengthened while the "bad" ones were to be destroyed. The old man should realize that Dr. Frankenstein's monster will always be a monster: it is no longer so cute now that it has turned itself against the master. But the tragedy is that Aziz and his ilk -- and there are hordes of them -- have turned a blind eye to the serpents in Pakistan's backyard which can also, of course, kill the masters and not just the neighbours. Moral of the story: you reap what you sow.
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Dec 20, 2014 08:04am
What u want ?
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Dec 20, 2014 08:05am
Innocent children had to sacrifice their lives to make a PM's advisor on national security to say that there are no good terrorists and bad terrorists. Pakistani and Indian politicians should stop this non sense of blame game and admit the reality that the whole subcontinent is funded heavily by Jihadis to terrorise the public like what has happened in Peshawar. Unite against this monsters and finish them of from the root
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Dec 20, 2014 08:23am
Stupid comment... how many 9/11 is Pakistan going to have? We have over 50,000 dead Mr Sartaj, 9/11 PALES in comparison. Please stop making comparison and do your job. CONFRONT those who are responsible, those who are supporting this menace, if its india, bring it to the world's attention. If their consulates in Afghanistan are training and providing weapons to TTP, TELL THE WORLD!!!!
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Dec 20, 2014 08:27am
All the Afghan refugee be send back to Afghanistan as soon as possible.
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Dec 20, 2014 08:30am
A major difference between 9/11 and the Peshawar massacre is that 9/11 was carried out by non-Americans, but Peshawar was by Pakistanis on their own people --especially targetting children!
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Dec 20, 2014 08:33am
@Duresameen : Questions 1 through 6 betray appalling ignorance. You should know --by now-- who they are and what they want and who sustains them!
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Dec 20, 2014 08:34am
@Duresameen Excellent questions. Fundamental problem is that we haven't had a true, honest, effective and powerful leadership. Not only terrorism is a problem, but look at the law and order situation in general. No one feels safe, no one can count on getting proper treatment at government hospitals, no one would like to send his kids to government schools; you name it. .nothing is going right. Rich are getting rich and poor poorer. Corruption is at its peak. I don't see light at the end of the tunnel; unless there is some sort of revolution. Sorry to be pessimistic.
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Dec 20, 2014 08:36am
Had Mr Aziz being honest in advise earlier and had not distinguished between terrorist and pushed hatred agenda forward, Pakistan would not have seen this day.
It's very late Mr Aziz, you treaded a dangerous path all your life. Better come out of public life and give this space to someone able.
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Dec 20, 2014 08:37am
We don't want to hear the word Taliban in any sense with Pakistan. Pakistan is very very respected and loved word in our lives.
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Dec 20, 2014 08:46am
Dear Sir, 9/11 is no different from 26/11 is no different from 16/12. These are all dates etched in the history of mankind when human beings reversed the process of evolution. You are an adviser to the Prime Minister of Pakistan and hence, a man of wisdom and perhaps justice. Does you still wish to propagate the dichotomous approach of supporting Hafiz Mohammad Saeed as a social worker while condemning Mullah Fazullah as a terrorist? Will this purported social worker not turn on Pakistan the same way the Taliban has? Isn't it time to end any kind of terrorism, anywhere in the world?
Today, the Prime Minister has said that there is no Good Taliban. Please stand corrected, my respected Sir, there is no good terrorist whatever garb he may choose to wear. The fact is that we have allowed religion to be misused and abused to justify very dark end objectives. Education which promotes harmony and knowledge has been displaced by ignorant teachers who promote hate and distrust! Barbaric divisions within religion have turned one man upon another.
Can education, employment and investment not help the common man more that these vitriol spewing Mullahs? Please use your position of power to further the cause of peace and justice all over the world.
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Dec 20, 2014 08:50am
@Indian In your comment "der ayad durust ayed" I hope 'ayed' is followed with sincerity and people like Lakhvi and Hafeez Said are brought to justice.
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Dec 20, 2014 08:52am
best comparison is with 26/11, Mumbai attack
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Dec 20, 2014 09:00am
It is not "Pakistan's 9/11", but it is "Pakistan's 26/11". The nature of attack and number of causalities matches more with 26/11 attack than 9/11. Why Pakistan is ashamed of comparing it with 26/11 ?.
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Dec 20, 2014 09:00am
@Duresameen "It seems a course readjustment is clearly warranted."
No course adjustment needed. This is carried out by internal and external enemies of the country. We need to become more proactive in our strategy. "strategic depth" is too passive. Take the fight to the enemies on both western and eastern border with the help of our great friends.
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Dec 20, 2014 09:01am
Sir, if you are serious now, eliminate all including Hafeez, Lakhvi even Dawood. If you continue with your strategies as such, tomorrow they may come against you once their self interest is hampered and do the same thing what your well fed Talibans are doing today. Pakistan has suffered a lot due to your double game . Awake from your deep sleep at least for the sake of those innocent children who lost their lives without their faults.
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Dec 20, 2014 09:33am
@Duresameen You nailed it buddy! Pakistani thinktanks should be thinking these questions. If not, at least they should see these questions.
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Dec 20, 2014 09:34am
Mr. Aziz, Please elaborate the strategies of Pakistan's fight against terrorism...How Hafiz Sayeed, a terrorist involved in Mumbai attack, is roaming free in Pakistan and venting hate speech against India over Peshwar School masacre in Pak TV.Is it because he is India's enemy, so a friend to Paksitan..How long can we hate each other???
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Dec 20, 2014 09:57am
"Mini", "Game Changer", irresponsible words by a central minister.
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Dec 20, 2014 10:12am
What "game changer" Mr Sartaj Aziz? Your support for terrorists has boomeranged in the most tragic fashion and so you are covering it up by using fancy words. Admit it...
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Dec 20, 2014 10:16am
After spending a life time in political and civil service , it took the loss of 141 innocent lives for Mr Sirtaj Aziz to distinguish between good and evil? Shame !!
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Dec 20, 2014 10:26am
Pakistanis should remember the children of Tribal areas too who are being wiped out by aerial bombing on daily basis. Hundreds of Children are killed due to huger in Thar area of Sindh Pakistan. Isn't government of Sarif's responsible for that killing?
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Dec 20, 2014 10:48am
Last,when we heard him,he said,why should Pak take ne action against the Millitants who don't harm Pak interests.
Hope he understands now as does his Boss,PM.
There are no good or bad terrorists.
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Dec 20, 2014 11:02am
sartaj aziz u have no credibility left anymore. No matter what u say is irrelevant....not too long ago u made pro taliban statements
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Dec 20, 2014 11:10am
Not one month back, you sir, has talked about "Why does Pak have to go after other nation's enemy".
Now you are saying because of blood of innocent Pakistani kids has been spilled. As a parent I wept that day.
But for you blood of Americans, Indians, Jews, Shias, Hajaras is obviously not innocent enough. Do you even know sir that we all came from a small group which emigrated out of Africa. We are in fact more closely related than we care. Humans have less DNA diversity than chimpanzees.
With heavy heart of parent can I ask one more silly question, Is it better PR or Are you really changing??
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Dec 20, 2014 11:26am
Costly realization, Same man weeks back was backing the "good" taliban . What sort of leaders Pakistan have , Don't you have leaders who fore see the future and take the correct action in the present . I am not sure who many days current govt resolve will continue.
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Dec 20, 2014 11:30am
@Duresameen All valid questions. I think Pakistanis should voluntarily submit themselves to be ruled by the United Nations for a period of 10 years and every person and insititution shoudl be placed under their control. That would clean up the place and that would stop hate mongers from holding open rallies spewing hate from various locations. Read Irfan Habib Saheb's article in this paper - to understand what will happen otherwise.
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Dec 20, 2014 11:37am
Yah right and only a few days back you were making a distinction between the good taliban and bad taliban.
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Dec 20, 2014 11:40am
Sartaj Aziz sahib it was you who said "please don't kill good Taliban" . It seems you have changed your stance after the butchery of innocent children. So better choose your words before speaking.
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Dec 20, 2014 11:41am
@Duresameen Dear brother it was the army that did all these things for all Taliban and now that they make a distinction between the groups the so called bad taliban is hitting back. and where does the bad taliban get funds - well from the people of pakistan and other muslim countries who so freely donate to the likes of Jama'at-ud-Da'wah. Hard to accept but unfortunately thats the bitter truth
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Dec 20, 2014 11:52am
@safe drill
What a stupid idea, how can you send the afghan refugee to their county, it is their country up to Atack bridge.
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Dec 20, 2014 11:59am
Probably same people behind it
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Dec 20, 2014 12:08pm
@san
Brother/Sister. 100% Agreed.
Our older generation are products of pre 1947 . They suffer from a servile mindset. Ours is Pakistan's 16/12. There is nothing like it in the world. However, I should also add that Pakistanis in their hour of extreme pain should not belittle the pains of others. But we will not allow the likes of Sartaj Aziz to dilute our pain and angst to further his career in his beyond-the-twilight years.
Mr. Sartaj Aziz should now lead a retired life. What is he doing in our foreign office and messing things up with comments completely out of sync with what the nation needs and wants? Mr. Aziz is causing major damage to Pakistan by merely opening his mouth.
Mr. Sharif should stop dishes out lucrative positions like lollipops.
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Dec 20, 2014 12:21pm
Actin, Sir. There has already been enough talking.
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Dec 20, 2014 12:27pm
It's now or never for Pakistan. The nation is galvanised. Only a complete annihilation of the terrorist & it's sympathisers can bring country back from the brink
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Dec 20, 2014 12:36pm
Mr. Sartaj Aziz. Please go home, have a nice cup of hot chocolate and have a long sleep.
And yes, this is PAKISTAN's 16/12. Please do not confuse or conflate it with other date. Sometimes one can sound more intelligent by not saying anything. You will serve Pakistan much better this way.
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Dec 20, 2014 12:45pm
He calls it MINI 9/11. Shame on you. There is no such thing as mini when human lives are involved, that too of children.
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Dec 20, 2014 12:48pm
Do Lashkar-e-Tayeeba, Jamaat-e-Islami, JKLF, Harkat-ul-Ansar, Jaieesh-e-Muhammad.......belong to the "Good Groups" category or the "Bad Groups" category post Peshawar massacre?
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Dec 20, 2014 01:25pm
@Dr.Shafique No one can agree more with you. You said it well, but as you see, the fly by night operation seem to be the brainchild of current incompetent or unwilling leaders for fear of their lives.
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Dec 20, 2014 01:36pm
@_zd Sartaj Aziz stated and a woman from Ministry of External Affairs angrily admonished that his remarks about the good terrorists were taken out of context. According to her he was referring to good tourists and bad tourists.
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Dec 20, 2014 01:39pm
@Ammy Indeed ! he should. But monitor him. I wouldn't trust him one bit.
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Dec 20, 2014 01:49pm
@Ash bad question to ask. There can be no answer from him that he will say in the end that he was misinterpreted.
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Dec 20, 2014 02:05pm
"Mr Aziz said that way of thinking was at an end" , is this an admission that non-state actors were use to ferment instabilty in India. If so then what is the basis of handing out an olive branch for peace.
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Dec 20, 2014 02:17pm
A quick turnaround by Mr. Sartaj Aziz from his infamous statement about no action against militants not hurting Pakistan"s interests. All militants are alike, and deserve to be brought to their deserved end quickly.
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Dec 20, 2014 03:25pm
Are you saying it was an inside job?
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Dec 20, 2014 03:28pm
@Pained father appreciate your sentiments. Well said. These people want to sustain war, their money making doll.
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Dec 20, 2014 03:56pm
Is he not the same person who said that militants not dangerous for Pakistan should not be targeted. read here:http://www.dawn.com/news/1145135
Now the real consequences are unfolding he is showing different views. Hypocrite.
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Dec 20, 2014 04:48pm
Its not 9/11 at all. The terrorists went to USA from Pakistan. Whereas the latest Peshawar attack was conducted by our own Pakistanis. By comparing the two you are demeaning the depth of the two incidents.
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Dec 20, 2014 04:58pm
@Indian
"virtually disappeared" not "completely disappeared" so don't get excited. leopard don't change its spot.
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Dec 20, 2014 05:07pm
@khan bhai, There is still time, reform yourselves otherwise many future generations will curse their forefathers.
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Dec 20, 2014 06:54pm
The same Sartaj said : http://www.dawn.com/news/1145135
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Dec 20, 2014 08:34pm
Kahtey hain ki "Haathi ke chabane waale daant alag, aur dikhane waale alag". Wonder which "daant" this seasoned diplomat is showing with this diplomatic mumbo-jumbo?
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Dec 20, 2014 08:36pm
9/11 was caused by people foreign to the country they attacked. 26/11 was also the same. But here Pakistanis are attacking their own. No, Mr. Aziz, it is not another 9/11.
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Dec 20, 2014 08:37pm
Will you also yell the world it was good or bad Taliban previously or lately supported and and it doesn't compare with 9/11 or 26/11 . It is perhaps self inflicted injury
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Dec 20, 2014 09:48pm
Nawaz=Business Man, Musharaf=Coward, Zardari=Mr.10%, Imran=Don't know who he is.
Pakistan what should you do?
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Dec 20, 2014 10:23pm
Why 9/11 always the benchmark, we have endured more than that, it was nothing what Pakistan has and is going through. They always come out with only one reference, shows their IQ and hold on the situation.
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Dec 20, 2014 11:28pm
@Patitapaban (India) , you mean to say there is no hatred from your side. Both sides have no love lost between them, we should accept the reality and then move forward and make policies for the betterment of the people.
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Dec 20, 2014 11:54pm
9/11 in the US massacred 3000 people, 150 were killed in Peshawar; 9/11 destroyed billions of dollars of property including the world's two iconic skyscrapers, Peshawar's Army school was not destroyed, only innocent children; Peshawar was an inside job with terrorists whom Pakistan supported and gave bread and sustainance, 9/11 was an outside job mostly by Saudi citizens but each of the terrorist, emphasis on every terrorist linked to 9/11 attacks has a linkage and a connection to Pakistan. Can Mr. Aziz understand these difference before comparing Peshawar 16/12 and US 9/11 and he is supposedly a foreign policy adviser of Pakistan? Peshawar 16/12 is much much more akin to Mumbai 26/11 which he will not compare, no matter how logical it will appear to the rest of the world. WHY? Everyone knows the answer, why. Get you comparisons right, Honorable Mr. Aziz.
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Dec 21, 2014 12:24am
I think we had suffered many 9 11s…
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