As Americans reeled from the apparent terrorist attacks on the
World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington,
nearly the entire world reacted with a mix of sympathy and outrage.
Canadians Ready to Extend Medical Help to US
Canadian hospitals and medical agencies have got ready to extend
medical help to the victims of Tuesday’s attack on US, local press
reported.
Toronto Emergency Medical Services was preparing this afternoon to
send 50 paramedics to the United States.
Hijackers hijacked four US airplanes carrying 266 people Tuesday in
devastating attacks on New York's World Trade Center and the
Pentagon.
Two crashed into the World Trade Center and one into the Pentagon,
while the fourth crashed near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
US
President George W. Bush said on Tuesday night that thousands of
lives were suddenly ended in evil terrorist attacks on the United
States.
At
Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Center in Toronto,
some doctors, including the director of the hospital’s
air-ambulance program, were waiting for clearance from the US
government to fly to New York.
Craig Duhel, manager of public affairs, confirmed that the doctors
were headed to the city, after "several phone calls” between US and
Canadian government officials during which an offer of services was
made.
Mexico's President Reiterates Solidarity With the U.S
Mexican President Vicente Fox reiterated on Tuesday to his US
counterpart, President George W. Bush, the solidarity of the
Mexican people and expressed his vigorous condemnation to the
terrorist attacks perpetrated across the United States.
In
his message, read before the press at the Presidential Residence in
Los Pinos, the Mexican leader confirmed his government rejects
every form of violence and terrorism.
Fox said his administration has adopted preventive measures to
guarantee the works of the financial markets and banks, as well as
the security of diplomatic representations.
The Mexican leader cancelled official celebrations for the
anniversary of the Mexican Independence, next September 16.
Fox added that his Security Cabinet will stay watching to be aware
of the events in the northern neighboring country.
British PM Talks With European Leaders Over US Attack
British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Tuesday held telephone talks
with the leaders of France, Germany and Russia to coordinate their
response to the devastating attacks on key landmarks in the United
States.
Blair's official spokesman said the prime minister spoke by
telephone to French President Jacques Chirac, French Prime Minister
Lionel Jospin, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Russian
President Vladimir Putin.
The conversations aimed "to begin in earnest discussions as to how
the international community can respond to today's events in New
York and Washington and the threat of this kind of terrorism poses
to the whole international community," the Downing Street spokesman
said.
Earlier, Blair had vowed to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with his
trans-Atlantic ally after two hijacked airliners ploughed into the
World Trade Center in New York and another plane hit the Pentagon
in Washington.
"This is not a battle between the United States of America and
terrorism, but between the free and democratic world and terrorism,
" he said after chairing a crisis meeting of the government’s
special security committee.
As
the closest ally to the United States, Britain also put the whole
country on full alert shortly after the devastating attacks
targeted on New York and Washington.
British airports, cities and government buildings were all on
heightened security alert. All private aircraft have been grounded
and no flights allowed on the normally busy flight paths over
London until further notice.
Police across the country were also put on alert and British
defense facilities across world were also told to be on alert.
British citizens are being advised to take great care if they are
living abroad in sensitive areas, to stay in their compounds, to
avoid obvious areas of potential risk and to have great care for
their safety.
European Union (EU) leaders denounced the unprecedented attacks on
US cities as acts of barbarism Tuesday and said they stood by the
United States.
Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, whose country holds current
EU presidency, said all the EU leaders had been very shocked by the
attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon near
Washington D.C.
"It is a tragedy not only for the United States but for the whole
world," Verhofstadt said after arriving at a Brussels airport
returning from a summit meeting in Yalta, Ukraine. European
Commission President Romano Prodi and EU Commissioner for external
relations Christopher Patten returned with Verhofstadt from the
EU-Ukraine summit.
Verhofstadt said that he, as current rotating EU president, would
be in touch with US President George W. Bush later Tuesday
evening.
Speaking on behalf of all the EU institutions, Verhofstadt said the
only words that could be used to describe the attacks were " acts
of barbarism."
"I
want to express, in the name of the EU, our entire solidarity with
the United States, with our American friends and with the American
people, with our allies...," Verhofstadt said.
EU
foreign ministers and the European Commission would discuss the
attacks at special meetings in Brussels Wednesday, he said.
NATO Holds Emergency Meeting on US attacks
NATO ambassadors held a special meeting here Tuesday night to
discuss the wave of terror attacks on US cities.
The 19-member alliance's North Atlantic Council, the decision-
making body, said after the meeting that NATO will keep solidarity
with the United States "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 council said in a
statement.
"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 civilized
nations - must win,” it said.
Earlier, two planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New
York, demolishing its twin towers, and a passenger aircraft slammed
into the Pentagon in Washington D.C., setting off a huge explosion
and fire.
Indonesian Govt Condemns Attacks in US
The Indonesian government Wednesday condemned attacks at the World
Trade Center building in New York and Pentagon building in
Washington D.C.
A
press release issued by the State Secretariat said the Indonesian
government expressed its deep condolence and sympathy to the
government and people of the US, especially to the bereaved
families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy.
The press release, signed by State Secretary Bambang Kesowo, said
the government has instructed its mission in New York and
Washington D.C. to take all necessary measures to assist any
Indonesian citizen who might be among the victims in those
incidents.
Separately, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda also condemned the
attacks.
"The government of Indonesia condemned those barbaric and
indiscriminate attacks that have resulted in great number of
innocent people lost their lives and wounded as well as material
damage caused," he was quoted by the Jakarta Post as saying.
The security of the US embassy complex and Ambassador Robert
Gelbard’s residence in Jakarta was tightened on Tuesday night
shortly after a series of attacks in the US Full-armed police were
seen on alert at the two locations.
Goh Chok Tong Sends Condolences to US President Bush
Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, who is currently on leave
in Perth, Australia, has conveyed his deep condolences to US
President George Bush, for the tragic loss of lives caused by the
terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, according to a
statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of
Singapore.
In
a letter late last night to the US president, the prime minister
wrote that he is shocked by the incident and also extended his deep
condolences to the families of all the bereaved.
He
also wrote that Singapore joins the US in strongly condemning these
acts of terrorism.
Meanwhile, the MFA released a statement saying the Singapore
government is shocked and outraged by the senseless and tragic loss
of innocent lives.
The statement said that the government expressed its deepest
condolences to the victims and their families and to the government
of the United States.
It
also affirmed that the Singapore government joined others in
condemning these acts of terrorism.
Japanese PM Denounces Terrorist Attacks on US
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Wednesday denounced
Tuesday's terrorist attacks on the United States and vowed to work
to prevent the incident from triggering worldwide economic
confusion, Kyodo News reported.
"This is a challenge not only to the US but also to other
democracies," Koizumi told a top-level security meeting held at his
official residence.
"It is important that countries cooperate to deal with such
terrorist attacks. I also think it important to prevent confusion
in the economic systems of the world and Japan. We will make
preparations for assisting the US as soon as possible," he
said.
The Security Council of Japan was meeting to discuss ways to deal
with the attacks, in which three hijacked airplanes crashed into
the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington.
A fourth hijacked plane crashed in Pennsylvania.
The meeting, the first of the council since March 1999, was
attended by all Japanese cabinet members.
Koizumi's comments came as the Tokyo stock price gauge sank below
the 10,000 threshold for the first time in 17 years on Wednesday
morning as chaos swept world financial markets following the
terrorist attacks.
The Japanese prime minister also told the meeting that he has
issued instructions to tighten security at US-related facilities in
Japan.
PNA Condemns "Criminal Acts" in US
The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) expressed regret at, and
condemned, "the criminal attacks" in the United States against the
World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the State Department.
"The Palestinian leadership declares its deep regret at, and strong
condemnation of, the criminal attacks against the World Trade
Center, the Pentagon and the State Department," a statement issued
by the PNA Tuesday afternoon said.
"The Palestinian leadership offers its sincere condolences to the
US people, government and President George W. Bush, as well as to
the families of the innocent victims of the criminal attacks," the
statement added.
Earlier in the day Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat condemned the
attacks as "very serious and unacceptable acts."
Meanwhile, Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) voiced
opposition to all violent acts targeting innocent civilians while
attributing Tuesday's attacks to the "US policies" towards hot
spots worldwide.
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on Tuesday condemned the terrorist
attacks in New York and Washington of the United States that
occurred earlier in the day.
Speaking to reporters, Arafat said, "We are completely shocked.
It's unbelievable."
He
added, "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."
Hijacked airplanes respectively destroyed the twin towers of the
World Trade Center in New York and damaged the Pentagon in
Washington on Tuesday morning
Mandela Shocked by Attacks Against US Targets
Former South African president Nelson Mandela said here on Tuesday
that he was in shock after terror attacks on targets in the United
States on Tuesday morning.
Mandela watched the attacks on television in Johannesburg and was
silenced with shock, his spokeswoman Zelda la Grange said.
"Mr. Mandela condemns any terrorist attack, especially where
innocent lives are lost," la Grange said.
"He sends his condolences to the United States," she added.
Mandela was scheduled to leave for New York on Sunday to attend a
special session for children at the United Nations
headquarters.
"We will decide in the next few days if the trip will go ahead, "
la Grange said.
Israel Promises Utmost Assistance to US
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said on Tuesday that the
Israeli government will provide " any and all necessary assistance"
to the United States hit by a series of attacks earlier in the
day.
Shortly after the attacks, Sharon spoke with US Ambassador to
Israel Daniel Kurtzer and expressed his condolences to the victims
of the attacks, saying that Israel "is prepared to render any and
all necessary assistance."
Israeli President Moshe Katsav expressed deep shock "over the
disastrous and brutal terrorist attacks, perpetrated by heartless
and bloodthirsty individuals."
Katsav has conveyed "deep sorrow" on behalf of the Israeli people
to US President George W. Bush.
Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer also expressed deep
shock and condolences to the US government and the American
people.
Ben Eliezer has approved the dispatch of Israeli army rescue units
to the United States.
He
was also holding consultations with the security establishment in
order to analyze the terrorist attacks in the United States with
the goal of being able to respond to possible scenarios.
Israeli Transport Minister Ephraim Sneh has banned foreign
passenger planes from flying to and from Israel.
Meanwhile, Israel has heightened security around US installations
in it.
Mbeki Calls on Int'l Community to Unite Against
Terrorism
South African President Thabo Mbeki reacted with shock to Tuesday's
terror attacks on the United States and called on the international
community to unite against global terrorism.
"The president has learnt with shock and dismay of today’s terror
attacks in cities of United States of America. On behalf of the
people and the government of South Africa, the president condemns
these dastardly actions," a presidential statement said on
Tuesday.
"The government further calls on the international community to
unite against global terrorism," it said.
The statement said the South African government was confident that
the United States authorities would ensure the perpetrators of the
attacks would face the full might of the law.
Also on Tuesday, former president Nelson Mandela, who was scheduled
to travel to New York on Sunday for a United Nations special
session on children, watched the events unfold on television and
was too shocked to comment personally.
"Mr Mandela condemns any terrorist attack, especially where
innocent lives are lost," his spokeswoman Zelda la Grange said.
"He sends his condolences to the United States and will decide in
the next few days if the trip will go ahead," la Grange said.
The United States' embassy in Pretoria and the mission in Cape Town
said they would be offering only essential services in the wake of
the attacks.
The SA Police Services (SAPS) would be taking special security
measures, SAPS Superintendent Gert Ackron said, adding the SAPS
international liaison office measures of an "operational nature”
were being undertaken.
He
did not elaborate on the measures for "security reasons".
The US missions in Pretoria and Cape Town were being carefully
watched, he said.
Johannesburg International Airport, the SAPS and the Civil Aviation
Authority said they had put a process in place to increase security
for all flights in the wake of the attacks.
A
statement from Airports Company South Africa said the measures that
were in place were sufficient to handle any disruptions to inbound
or outbound flights.
South African Airways announced the cancellation of all its flights
to and from the United States.
Spokesman Victor Nosi said all flights between South Africa,
Atlanta and New York would be affected.
"South Africa Airways is deeply concerned about the situation
currently unfolding in the US," he said.
"We have decided to cancel all flights to and from the US We will
review the situation as we receive more information," Nosi
said.
Political parties across South Africa also roundly condemned the
attacks.
The African National Congress (ANC) said they were appalled by the
attacks.
"We regret the loss of innocent lives in these senseless attacks,
such attacks can only create instability worldwide," ANC Spokesman
Smuts Ngonyama said.
He
also offered the ANC's support to the US government in their
efforts to deal with the crisis.
Democratic Alliance Chief Whip Douglas Gibson said the "almost
unbelievable events" underscored again the threat terrorism posed
to the peace-loving peoples of the world.
Less than one week after the World Conference Against Racism turned
its back on intolerance in Durban, "we have what amounts to a
declaration of war on the United States", Gibson said in a
statement.
The evacuation of the White House, the Capitol and the Pentagon,
and the massive dislocation of New York and Washington, were an
indication of how effective terrorist attacks could be, he
said.
United Democratic leader Bantu Holomisa also extended his party 's
condolences to the families of victims of the attacks.
"We are dismayed by this news. We believe that the US will pull
through this tragedy. The possible links to the situation in the
Middle East have yet to be confirmed, but if it proves accurate, it
should emphasize once and for all that the situation requires a
global and united effort by the whole international community."
In
another statement, the African Christian Democratic Party said it
deplored the attacks "with shock and horror".
The Congress of SA Trade Unions said there was no conceivable
political justification for such acts.
Freedom Front leader Pieter Mulder said the attack meant
international terrorism had reached its peak.
"One can only guess what the results would have been, if these
terrorists had access to nuclear weapons. This type of terrorism
can only be eradicated through a combined effort world-wide," he
said.
A
Christian movement, United Christian Ministries (UCM), called on
governments worldwide to condemn terrorism.
UCM spokeswomen Tumi Tlale said the movement had warned against
justifying terrorist action for years.
"Terrorism remains terrorism no matter what excuses the cowardly
murderers may put forward," he said.
Federal Alliance leader Louis Luyt said: "These terrorists need to
be apprehended wherever they may be hiding and that swift and
decisive action will follow against those harboring these cowards”
Another plane is to land at an airport in Canada in less than one
hour, he said.
S.Korea Considers Dispatching "119 Rescue Team" to US
South Korea is considering dispatch of a rescue team to the United
States to join rescue operations in connection with the devastating
terrorist attacks in New York and Washington Tuesday.
The South Korean government is contacting the US government through
its missions there to sound out the possibility of sending
unidentified number of South Korea's "119 rescue squad."
"The US government has yet to decide whether to accept Seoul' s
offer for the emergency rescue operation, but we are ready to
provide every possible assistance to the United States," said an
official of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Telephone services between South Korea to US cities have been
paralyzed since Tuesday night after the terrorist attacks.
South Korea's two air carriers -- Korean Air and Asiana Airlines
Wednesday decided to cancel all passenger and cargo flights to the
United States.
In
addition, the South Korean National Assembly, or parliament decided
Wednesday to cancel the parliamentary annual inspection of the
country's diplomatic missions in the United States following the
horrible terrorist attack.
(china.org.cn 09/12/2001)