Leaders of the United Nations, the United States, Russia, Australia and many other countries have thrown strong words at the deadly attack, reminding the world that the campaign against terrorism has a long way ahead.

In a statement to the press on Sunday, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he was shocked and horrified to hear of the attack and expressed his utter condemnation of all such indiscriminate attacks on civilians.

"They violate all accepted standards of morality, as well as national and international law, and cannot be justified by any cause or ideology," Annan said, adding that such tragic events underscore the importance of cooperation by all states in the struggle against terrorism to defend human rights, freedom and the rule of law.

US President George W. Bush condemned the explosion as a "heinous" act and called on the world to "confront this global menace and terrorism."

"Terrorists have once again targeted innocents, this time in Indonesia," Bush said in a statement, calling the attack "a cowardly act designed to create terror and chaos."

He offered condolences to the families of all the murder victims from numerous countries and said the United States had offered assistance to the government of Indonesia "to help bring these murderers to justice."

"The world must confront this global menace, terrorism," Bush said. "We must together challenge and defeat the idea that the wanton killing of innocents advances any cause or supports any aspirations. And, we must call this despicable act by its rightful name murder."

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday sent condolences to Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri and Australian Prime Minister John Howard over heavy loss of lives in the explosion.

"These tragic events confirm the importance of even stronger and better coordinated international efforts to wage an uncompromising struggle against international terrorism, the evil of the 21st century," Putin said in a message to the Indonesian president.

In his message to Howard, the Russian leader emphasized the importance of waging an "uncompromising and truly universal struggle" against international terrorism.

Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi on Sunday called the bomb attacks a "grave act of terrorism" that had filled him with "horror and outrage."

"This appalling attack, which has thrown Indonesia into mourning, confirms the need to continue the common fight against terrorism until it is defeated," Ciampi said.

Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said in London he was "shocked to learn of the brutal terrorist act" and urged the international community to work together to rid the world of religious extremism.

"This terrorist incident, inspired by religious extremism, reminds us of the common responsibility of all members of the international community to join together and support each other inridding the world of this cancer," Vajpaye said.

Malaysia and the Philippines were among the countries to open fire on the attack, describing it as "despicable."

Meanwhile, many countries offered to provide help to Indonesia to investigate the case as Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri urged the security authorities to reveal and arrest the masterminds of the bomb explosion, for which no organization has claimed responsibility.

(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2002)