*EPF410 09/13/01
Leaders Worldwide Condemn Terrorist Attacks
(Governments express sympathy for New York, Washington victims) (2400)
Leaders of governments and international organizations around the world have expressed revulsion at the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington and sympathy for the victims and their families, and offered numerous kinds of support and assistance.
Following is a sampling of the comments:
Saudi Arabia:
An official said: "Saudi Arabia denounces the inhuman and sad bombings in New York and Washington. These acts violate religious values and civilizational and humanitarian concepts. Saudi Arabia undertakes to cooperate with the international community to fight all kinds of terrorism."
Kuwait:
The Kuwaiti cabinet said: "Kuwait rejects all forms of terrorism, condemns the terrorist actions that took place yesterday, and expresses deep empathy with the people of the United States."
Doha:
The Qatari foreign ministry "denounces the terrorist attacks and their serious consequences for international security, and expresses condolences to the friendly American people."
The United Arab Emirates:
The UAE Ministry of Information "strongly condemns the barbaric attacks and believes such criminal actions require an international campaign to eradicate all forms of terrorism."
Oman:
"The Omani Foreign Ministry expresses full solidarity with the United States in the face of these attacks."
Yemen:
A spokesman said "Yemen strongly denounces these terrorist attacks, and condemns terrorism that threatens international stability and security."
The Palestinian Authority:
Chairman Yasser Arafat said: "We are completely shocked. It's unbelievable. We completely condemn this very dangerous attack, and I convey my condolences to the American people, to the American president and to the American administration, not only in my name but on behalf of the Palestinian people."
Jordan:
King Abdullah, interviewed by CNN, said Jordan shares the sorrow and grief suffered by Americans. He said that celebrations filmed in the West Bank were isolated events and said "we were just as shocked as you are" at them. "It's a small group of people; it's no way a reflection of the Palestinian people or other peoples of the Middle East."
Afghanistan:
Wakeel Ahmed Mutawakel, the foreign minister of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban government, told the Arab television network Al Jazeera: "We denounce this terrorist attack, whoever is behind it."
Organization of the Islamic Conference:
OIC Secretary General Abdelouahed Belkeziz said: "We denounce and condemn those criminal and brutal acts that run counter to all covenants, humanitarian values and divine religions, foremost among which is Islam. Our tolerant Islamic religion highly prizes the sanctity of human life and considers the willful killing of a single soul as tantamount to killing humanity at large. The Islamic world as a whole shares the pain and sorrow of the American people in this terrible and devastating ordeal."
United Kingdom:
Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "As for those that carried out these attacks, there are no adequate words of condemnation. Their barbarism will stand as their shame for all eternity. As I said earlier, this mass terrorism is the new evil in our world. The people who perpetrate it have no regard whatever for the sanctity or value of human life, and we the democracies of the world, must come together to defeat it and eradicate it. This is not a battle between the United States of America and terrorism, but between the free and democratic world and terrorism. We, therefore, here in Britain stand shoulder to shoulder with our American friends in this hour of tragedy, and we, like them, will not rest until this evil is driven from our world."
Germany:
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said in a telegram to President Bush: "It was with horror that I learned of the abominable terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington in which so many innocent people have lost their lives.
"My government staunchly condemns these acts of terrorism. The German people are at the side of the United States of America in this difficult hour.
"I wish to express my deep-felt condolences and complete solidarity to you and the American people. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.
France:
President Jacques Chirac in a letter to President Bush: "It is with immense emotion that France learned of the monstrous attacks which have just struck the United States of America.
"In these horrific circumstances, the French people stand as one, side by side with the American people. They want to express their friendship and solidarity in this tragedy. Their thoughts go especially to the injured and to the families of the victims.
"France condemns totally this terrorism against which we must fight with absolute determination.
Italy:
Prime Minister Silvia Berlusconi said in a message to President Bush: "I am shocked at the terrifying, insane terrorist attack, which has hit the people of a friendly nation, as well as the conscience of the entire world."
European Union:
European Commission President Romano Prodi said: "This barbaric attack was directed against the free world and our common values. It is a watershed event and life will never be quite the same again. European Institutions and Governments will work closely together with our American friends and partners in the defence of freedom.
"We shall not allow terrorism to triumph. We shall not allow terrorism to divide the world, as its perpetrators intend it to. We shall deny them this victory.
"In the darkest hours of European history, the Americans stood by us. We stand by them now."
NATO:
Secretary General of NATO Lord Robertson said: "I condemn in the strongest possible terms the senseless attacks which have just been perpetrated against the United States of America. My sympathies go to the American people, the victims and their families. These barbaric acts constitute intolerable aggression against democracy and underline the need for the international community and the members of the Alliance to unite their forces in fighting the scourge of terrorism."
The North Atlantic Council:
"The North Atlantic Council met tonight to express its solidarity with the United States of America at this moment of great tragedy and mourning. Our deepest sympathy lies with the victims, their families and all Americans. The NATO nations unanimously condemn these barbaric acts committed against a NATO member state. The mindless slaughter of so many innocent civilians is an unacceptable act of violence without precedent in the modern era. It underscores the urgency of intensifying the battle against terrorism, a battle that the NATO countries indeed all civilised nations must win. All Allies stand united in their determination to combat this scourge. At this critical moment, the United States can rely on its 18 Allies in North America and Europe for assistance and support. NATO solidarity remains the essence of our Alliance. Our message to the people of the United States is that we are with you. Our message to those who perpetrated these unspeakable crimes is equally clear: you will not get away with it."
Slovenia:
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is horrified at today's tragedy in New York and Washington and strongly condemns these acts. These brutal terrorist attacks are not only aimed at the United States of America, but also at the entire free world, democracy and global security. The Republic of Slovenia remains firmly determined to fight terrorism. The Ministry conveys deepest condolences to the US Administration and to all the relatives of the victims who died in these tragic events beyond comprehension."
Estonia:
Prime Minister Mart Laar said: "This is not an attack against the USA alone. A terrorist attack of this magnitude is an attack against democracy in the whole world. In this respect, it demonstrates once again how small the world we live in is and how fragile, and how necessary it is in this fragile world that there is cooperation between the states."
Lithuania:
President Valdas Adamkus said: "I totally condemn this and other acts of terrorism taking the lives of innocent people. The tragic events in New York, Washington and other U.S. cities forces us to rethink whether we have done and are doing everything to make the world safe, to avoid tragedy."
Slovakia:
A foreign ministry spokesman said: "It is undeniable that this was a terrorist action. The Slovak Foreign Ministry denounces terrorism in any form and expresses deep sorrow at the events that took place in Washington and New York today [11 September]. At the same time we are expressing our solidarity (with the people) of the United States."
Romania:
President Ion Iliescu said: "This is a hard time for all of us and we do stand with the United States in vigorously condemning terrorism as a means for solving political disputes. No matter what might be the reason, indiscriminately killing innocent people will never be the answer. Romania has always expressed this position and these shocking moments are nothing but another sad time to reaffirm our commitment to fight terrorism and to support the political means in dealing with international affairs."
Albania:
President of the Republic of Albania Rexhep Meidani, in a letter addressed to the President of the United States of America George W. Bush, expresses "the deepest indignation and condemnation on these monstrous acts that, along with your country, have deeply touched the feelings of every human being in the world who confide in values of life, freedom and democracy. I express my deepest sorrow on the lives lost, victims of a harsh terrorism, coming up again as a blind violence that has no limits and no future.
Croatia:
President Stipe Mesic said: "This is not ordinary terrorism, but a premeditated crime, obviously prepared over a long time."
Russia:
President Vladimir Putin's Telegram of Condolence to President Bush: "I am deeply shocked by reports of the tragic events that have occurred today on the territory of the USA. The series of barbaric terrorist acts, directed against innocent people, has evoked our anger and indignation.
"Please convey our most sincere condolences to the relatives of the victims of this tragedy, as well as to all those injured, the whole American people. We well understand your grief and pain. The Russians have themselves experienced the horror of terror.
"There is no doubt that such inhuman actions cannot be left unpunished. The whole international community must rally in the fight against terrorism."
Australia:
Prime Minister Howard wrote: "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.... In the face of an attack of this magnitude, words are always inadequate in conveying sympathy and support. You can however be assured of Australia's resolute solidarity with the American people at this most tragic time."
China:
President Jiang Zemin said in a letter to President Bush: "Shocked to learn of the serious attacks against certain areas in New York City and Washington, D.C., on September 11, which caused horrendous casualties. 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. The Chinese Government has consistently condemned and rejected all forms of terrorist violence."
Japan:
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said at a September 12 press conference: "Japan strongly supports the United States and 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."
Philippines:
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wrote to President Bush: "The Filipino people extend their most profound sympathies to all victims of this unspeakable crime. We share the grief at this moment of unprecedented tragedy. We extend whatever support we could muster at this most horrific moment."
South Korea:
A spokesman for the Republic of Korea said: "The government and people of the Republic of Korea strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attacks on major U.S. facilities such as the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
"We pray for the peaceful repose of those who perished at the hands of these terrorist attacks and extend our deepest condolences to their bereaved families. We further hope for the speedy recovery of all those injured.
"Hoping that the American people will overcome this tremendous catastrophe with unyielding courage, we stand ready, as a close U.S. ally, to provide all necessary assistance.
"The ROK government joins the United States and other nations in rooting out such terrorist acts, and will spare no efforts in this endeavor."
Thailand:
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra wrote in a letter to President Bush: "The Thai people join me in sending our deepest condolences to all those in the United States who have lost their loved ones and those who have suffered injuries. The Thai people also share my view that these terrorist acts are to be condemned in the strongest terms.
"The Government and the people of Thailand stand ready to render any possible assistance to relieve the suffering and the plight of the victims of these terrorist acts."
Mexico:
President Vicente Fox said: "Mexico expresses its condolences to the government and the American people for the irreparable human losses. We also express our energetic condemnation of these attacks."
Colombia:
A government statement called the attacks "cowardly and despicable," and said "There is no justification whatsoever for the death of hundreds of innocents at the hand of a few intolerant radicals. With all our support and solidarity, we accompany President George W. Bush and all the American nation in these moments of grief and uncertainty. We ratify our confidence that the United States will soon overcome this tragic moment for the well-being of its citizens and of all nations that work for a peaceful world."
Organization of American States:
The OAS Special General Assembly, which convened in Lima on September 11, issued a statement saying that it "condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist acts visited upon the cities of New York and Washington, D.C., today, and reiterates the need to strengthen hemispheric cooperation to combat this scourge that has thrown the world and the hemispheric community into mourning. The General Assembly expresses its full solidarity with the government of President George W. Bush and with the people of the United States of America."
Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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