The US Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution condemning recent cyber attacks launched against Google in China and reaffirming strong support for freedom of expression and press freedom around the world. In the case of the Google attack - where at least 34 other major companies were also reportedly targeted - evidence suggests the attackers' primary goal was to access Gmail accounts of journalists,human rights activists and dissidents,the resolution said. Introduced by Senators Ted Kaufman,Sam Brownback,Bob Casey,Jon Kyl,Russ Feingold,Joseph Lieberman,Jim Webb,Arlen Specter and John McCain,the resolution called on the Chinese government to conduct a thorough probe into the attacks,and also make the results of the investigation transparent. It also voiced support for a recent initiative announced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to encourage Internet freedom by promoting technology to circumvent electronic censorship and monitoring worldwide. The resolution also highlights the range of efforts within China to restrict press freedom and freedom of expression,especially on the Internet. "The Senate spoke in one voice,calling on the Chinese government to investigate and explain the recent cyber attacks and expressing serious concern about ongoing attempts by China and other countries to restrict press and Internet freedom," said Senator Kaufman.
