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Roundup: World Leaders Condemn Terrorism, Offer Condolences to US
Leaders around the world condemned Tuesday's terrorist attacks in the United States and offered condolences to relatives and families of the victims.
Three planes commandeered by unknown people crashed into the World Trade Center twin towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington D.C., symbols of American financial and military might. Thousands of people are feared dead in the attacks.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Russian President Vladimir Putin were among the first world leaders to respond to the horrible incident.
"This mass terrorism is the new evil in our world today," said Blair, who called an emergency cabinet meeting. He vowed to stand "full square alongside the United States" in the battle against terrorism and to offer whatever help necessary in tracking down those responsible for the attacks.
Chinese President Jiang Zemin sent a message to Bush hours after the tragedy, saying he was "shocked to learn that some parts of New York and Washington D.C. were disastrously attacked, which caused severe casualties."
He offered sincere sympathy to Bush and the U.S. government and people on behalf of the Chinese government and people, and reaffirmed the Chinese government's stance to condemn and oppose all forms of terrorist violence.
Putin, in a message to U.S. President George W. Bush, said: "The series of barbarian terrorist acts, targeted against innocent people, cause our indignation and outrage."
"On behalf of the Russian people, I want to tell the U.S. people: we are with you, we share and feel your pain, (and) we support you."
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat offered his sympathy to Americans and said he was shocked by the string of devastating attacks.
Afghanistan's ruling Taliban condemned the attacks and rejected suggestions that Saudi businessman Osama bin Laden could have masterminded them. Taliban allegedly offers sanctuary for bin Laden, who is wanted by Washington for the bombing of American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998 and the bombing of an American navy ship in Yemen in 2000.
"It is premature to level allegations against a person who is not in a position to carry out such attacks," said Abdul Salam Zaeef, Taliban ambassador to Pakistan. "It was a well-organized plan and Osama has no such facilities."
Libyan President Moammar Gadhafi described the attacks as "horrifying" in a statement to the official news agency JANA, and urged international Muslim aid groups to offer assistance to the United States "regardless of political considerations or differences between America and the peoples of the world."
The U.N. Security Council in New York unanimously condemned the attacks and urged all nations to work together to bring the criminals to justice and prevent future terrorism.
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan said: "There can be no doubt that these attacks are deliberate acts of terrorism, carefully planned and coordinated... I condemn them utterly." He also gave his condolences to the families of the thousands of victims.
Queen Elizabeth II of Britain said she was watching developments in "growing disbelief and total shock."
U.S. NATO allies declared that the United States could count on their support in an intensified war against terrorism -- a war that "all civilized nations must win," the alliance's governing North Atlantic Council said after an emergency meeting.
"The NATO nations unanimously condemn these barbaric acts committed against a NATO member state," it said.
French President Jacques Chirac called the attacks "monstrous."
European Union Commission President Romano Prodi said: "Europeans stand together with the U.S.."
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien expressed his disbelief. "It is impossible to fully comprehend the evil that would have conjured up such a cowardly and depraved assault."
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder labeled the attacks as "a declaration of war."
The leaders of Northern Ireland's joint Protestant-Catholic government, Reg Empey and Seamus Mallon, also extended their condolences.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said: "This outrageous and vicious act of violence against the United States is unforgivable."
In his response, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said the attacks were "horrible and unimaginable."
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad expressed sadness, but called on the U.S. government not to seek revenge.
"Retaliation will lead to the deaths of many people and will be followed by more counter-strikes," he said.
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