World leaders condemn attacks in Mumbai, offer condolences to victims
28/11/2008 16:47
Leaders of many major countries and international organizations have
strongly condemned the terror attacks in Mumbai, India, which killed at least
125 people and injuring 327.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the
terrorist attacks in Mumbai on Wednesday, demanding that the perpetrators
be
brought to justice.
"Such violence is totally unacceptable," Ban said in a
statement issued by his spokesperson. "The secretary-general reiterates his
conviction that no cause or grievance can justify indiscriminate attacks against
civilians," the statement said.
Ban offered his sympathies to the families of
the victims and the wounded. He also voiced his solidarity with the Indian
government and people.
US President George W. Bush called Indian Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday to express condolences for the victims, a
spokesperson said.
"President Bush spoke this morning by telephone with
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to express condolences to the victims of
the terror attacks in Mumbai, India, and solidarity with the people of India,"
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said in a statement.
"The president
offered support and assistance to the government of India as it works to restore
order, provide safety to its people and comfort to the victims and their
families and investigate these despicable acts," Perino said.
US
President-elect Barack Obama on Wednesday also condemned the terror
attacks.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev yesterday sent a message of
condolences to Indian leaders, the presidential press service said.
"The
monstrous crimes of terrorists in Mumbai arouse our wrath, indignation and
unconditional condemnation," Medvedev said in a message to the his Indian
counterpart Pratibha Patil and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"The
inhuman terrorist attacks on hospitals, hotels and other public places aimed at
killing civilians, taking and murdering hostages are crimes directed against the
foundation of civilized society," he said.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
yesterday sent a message of condolences to his Indian counterpart Manmohan
Singh, strongly condemning Wednesday's attacks, saying the Chinese government is
firmly opposed to terrorism of any form.
On behalf of the Chinese government
and himself, Wen expressed deep grief for the victims of the attacks and
conveyed sincere condolences to the relatives of the victims and those wounded
in the violence.
The European Commission, the executive arm of the European
Union (EU), strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Mumbai Wednesday night,
and rendered its support for the Indian government in the fight against
terrorism.
"The European Commission condemns in the strongest terms the
heinous terrorist attacks this night in Mumbai which have cost the lives of many
innocent people and injured others. Terrorism is never justified and is by no
means to achieve any goal. We stand by the Indian government in its fight
against terrorism," said the commission in a statement.
"Our thoughts are
with the families who have lost loved ones and we wish a speedy recovery to
those injured," it added.
President of the European Parliament (EP) Hans-Gert
Pottering yesterday also strongly condemned Wednesday's terrorist attacks,
stressing that fighting terrorism must remain a political priority for the
international community.
NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
yesterday condemned the attacks. "I condemn in the strongest possible terms the
mindless and indiscriminate terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Attacking innocent
people, tourists, and patients in hospitals is despicable and cowardly," he said
in a statement.
He expressed his solidarity with and sympathy to the Indian
authorities, the Indian people, and the families of the victims.
"NATO, as
part of the international community, is determined to spare no effort to fight
the scourge of terrorism which should have no place in the 21st century," he
said.
British leaders yesterday condemned the attacks, and urged the world to
"come together" to combat terrorism.
"I think I speak for the whole world,
shock and outrage at the tragic destruction of innocent lives. I have already
sent my sympathy and support to Prime Minister Singh of India and to say we will
do everything we can to help the Indian government," British Prime Minister
Gordon Brown told reporters.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign
Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier extended yesterday their condolences to India
over the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, vowing to offer assistance.
In her
message of condolence, Merkel said Germany condemned "these criminal acts in
strong terms," and "our thoughts are with the victims and their
families."
The Swiss government yesterday condemned the series of terrorist
attacks in public places, which have killed more than 100
people.
"Switzerland condemns these terrorist acts as absolutely
unjustifiable," the Foreign Ministry in Bern said in a statement.
The
Japanese government yesterday condemned the deadly attacks in India and vowed
cooperation with the Indian government's fight against terrorism.
Japanese
Prime Minister Taro Aso said in a statement that the terrorist attacks are
"malicious, contemptible and totally unacceptable." He expressed indignation and
"condemn in the strongest terms these terrorist acts."
Canadian Prime
Minister Stephen Harper yesterday condemned the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and
vowed support for India in fighting against terrorism.
"Canada condemns in
the strongest terms the despicable and cowardly attacks in Mumbai, India,"
Harper said in a statement.
"These attacks targeted people from India and
around the world, " he said. "They were attacks on values we hold dear, and we
share your loss."
"As a fellow democracy, Canada stands firmly with the
government and people of India in your fight against terror and as you face with
resolve one of the darkest times a country can ever experience," he
said.
Iran's Foreign Ministry yesterday also condemned the terrorist attacks
in India. "Iran is also a victim of terrorist attacks and is ready to fight
against such evil acts on all levels," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan
Qashqavi said in a statement.
Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa
condemned yesterday the series of terrorist attacks in India's Mumbai which have
killed at least 119 people.
Moussa expressed his condolences to the families
of the victims and to the Indian government and people, noting that such
terrorist attacks aggravate the vicious circle of violence.
Meanwhile,
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak issued a presidential statement yesterday
denouncing the terrorist attacks.
Many other organizations and countries have
also expressed shock and indignation over the killing of innocent people in
Mumbai, and showed their deep sympathies to the victims.
Xinhua
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