12 September 2001

Asia-Pacific Deplores Attack on U.S., Offers Condolences and Help

By Steve La Rocque
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- As America recovers from the largest terrorist attack in history on U.S. soil, allies and friends in the Asia-Pacific region -- large and small -- are offering help and sympathy to the U.S. government and the American people.

Japan, America's major ally in the region, called the September 11 events "extremely vicious and unforgivable acts of violence."

"On behalf of the people of Japan," Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said September 12, "I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathies to the President of the United States of America and to the American people."

The series of terrorist attacks, the Japanese leader said, "pose a grave challenge not only to the United States, but to the entire free world."

Koizumi said Japan is resolved "to spare no effort in providing necessary assistance and cooperation. We must stand firmly together with the concerned nations of the world to ensure that such acts are never repeated."

Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who was in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Australia-New Zealand-United States (ANZUS) treaty alliance, told reporters he had sent a letter to President Bush saying the Australian Government and people "share the sense of horror experienced by your nation at today's catastrophic events and the appalling loss of life. I feel the tragedy even more keenly being here in Washington at the moment."

Howard said at the press conference that the United States could be assured of Australia's "resolute solidarity with the American people at this most tragic time."

Howard, leader of a nation that fought as an ally of the United States in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War, said the September 11 terrorist attacks were visited "upon innocent civilians, men, women and children going about their daily lives."

From the world's most populous nation, Chinese President Jiang Zemin wrote, "I wish to express, on behalf of the Chinese Government and people, our deepest sympathy and solicitude to you and, through you, to the government and people of the United States.

"I wish also to extend our condolences to the families of the victims," wrote the Chinese leader.

"The Chinese Government has consistently condemned and rejected all forms of terrorist violence," he wrote.

A spokesman for the Republic of Korea (ROK) said the government and people of that country "strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attacks on major U.S. facilities such as the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon."

"We stand ready, as a close U.S. ally, to provide all necessary assistance," he said, adding that South Korea "joins the United States and other nations in rooting out such terrorist acts, and will spare no efforts in this endeavor."

New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderson said September 12 said he had sent a message to President Bush expressing that country's support for the American people at this time.

"The Government is shocked and outraged at the callous killing of innocent civilians," he said.

New Zealand, Anderson, added, "will stand with all other democratic countries to do whatever is necessary to prevent and remove threats to peace and the devastating scourge of terrorism."

The Indonesian government issued a statement saying it condemns "those barbaric and indiscriminate attacks," and expresses its sympathy to the people of the United States.

Singapore said September 11 that it was "shocked and outraged," adding, "We join others in condemning these acts of terrorism."

The Philippines, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Brunei, Kiribati, Palau, Niue, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, and Taiwan also conveyed similar statements of support and sympathy to the United States.