NEW YORK, (voa) – Leaders worldwide are condemning the latest suicide bombings in Israel and are urging the Palestinian Authority to bring the perpetrators to justice.
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan called the attacks “acts of terror” and said Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat must take decisive action to contain extremists. There has also been strong censure from European leaders. European Commission President Romano Prodi stressed the urgency of resuming dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians to restore peace.
Russia’s foreign ministry said the bomb attacks had caused pain and indignation in Russia. Pope John Paul said he was saddened and worried.
Meanwhile, the secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, said the attacks were in his words “regrettable.”
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said Egypt condemns all acts of reciprocal violence that targets innocent civilians. President Mubarak is due to host Jordan’s King Abdullah Monday in Cairo to discuss the Palestinian-Israeli violence.
December 2, 2002
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today responded with anger to the terrorist attacks perpetrated in Jerusalem and Haifa:
“All Canadians are outraged at this monstrous taking of innocent life. We reject absolutely any suggestion that such abhorrent action can ever be justified in any way. Violence and fear are never the tools of justice, they are the weapons of blinkered extremists – who tolerate only their point of view and accept no civilized restraint in seeking its imposition.
The enemies of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East have always taken the counsel of despair and hate. Even as Israel reels from this latest provocation, it is more important than ever that they, and peace loving people throughout region, continue to take the counsel of their hopes; continue to work for the lasting peace that they have craved for so long.
Aline joins me in extending our deepest sympathies to the people of Israel at this difficult hour.”
