Jordan Times
Friday, November 11, 2005
Security Council
condemns deadly blasts
Agencies
THE UN SECURITY Council on Thursday strongly
condemned the hotel bombings that killed at least 59 people in Amman, as
governments worldwide condemned the blasts as barbaric and called for greater
efforts against terrorism.
"The Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist bombings
that took place in Amman," said a UN statement read by Russia's UN envoy Andrei
Denisov, the current council president.
The council also stressed the need "to bring the perpetrators, organisers,
financiers and sponsors of these intolerable acts to justice" and called on all
states to help Jordanian authorities accordingly.
UN chief Kofi Annan will visit Jordan Friday, a day after the secretary general
announced he was scrapping the visit.
"Mr Annan will visit Jordan on Friday," a spokesman at Prime Minister Adnan
Badran's office told AFP without elaborating.
Annan's spokesman Stephane Dujarric confirmed that the UN chief would head for
Jordan Friday from Saudi Arabia, where he has been visiting since Wednesday as
part of a regional tour. Annan, who postponed the trip after the triple suicide
bombings, will meet both King Abdullah and UN staff, including the country team
and Jordan-based staff mission in Iraq, his spokesman said.
The talks with King Abdullah will cover "the situation in Iraq and the fight
against terrorism," Dujarric said.
He said Annan telephoned the Monarch on Thursday to express his "deepest
sympathies" following the bombings, which he had earlier strongly condemned.
President George W. Bush yesterday said the attackers defiled Islam and the
United States would help bring those responsible to justice.
"The killings should remind all of us that there is an enemy in this world that
is willing to kill innocent people, willing to bomb a wedding celebration in
order to advance their cause," Bush said in the Oval Office during a meeting
with President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen.
"Today the world saw with horror the attacks on innocent people in Jordan by
killers who defile a great religion."
Bush also called King Abdullah Thursday to express the United States'
condolences for the injuries and loss of life in the nearly simultaneous suicide
attacks.
Bush told King Abdullah that he strongly supports his leadership and that the US
will stand with Jordan. "Both leaders agreed that it's important to reiterate to
the world that the terrorists cannot shake our will and our determination to
defeat their hateful, murderous ideology," White House press secretary Scott
McClellan said.
President Jacques Chirac Thursday said France stood side-by-side with Jordan in
its fight against terrorism.
"The cruel terrorist attacks which hit Jordan cause horror and reprobation. In
the name of France, I condemn them in the firmest way," Chirac said in a written
message to King Abdullah made public by his office at the Elysee Palace.
He continued: "More than ever, France stands at the side of Jordan in its fight
against terrorism and in its resolute choice for peace and tolerance."
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso also sent a letter of
condolence to King Abdullah, in which he said the bombings were "contemptible
acts," adding that the EU "stood in solidarity with the Jordanian people at this
time of great emotion and sadness."
NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer also condemned the bombings in a
separate statement.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak sent a telegram to King Abdullah "stressing
that Egypt is standing by Jordan... in these difficult times and in the face of
terrorism and its perils," the official MENA news agency said in a statement.
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said the Lebanese people "supports the Jordanian
people in their ordeal and ask God to give you the strength to face the
challenges with which Jordan is confronted."
Russian President Vladimir Putin called on governments to fight without
compromise against terrorism which "has no nationality and belongs to no
religious faith."
Pakistan and Afghanistan strongly condemned the "heinous act of terrorism in
Amman."
Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a message to King Abdullah strongly condemning
the attacks.
"Hu Jintao strongly condemns this terrorist attack and stresses that the Chinese
government condemns all forms of terrorism and is willing to strengthen
cooperation with the international community, including Jordan, to fight
terrorism," it said.
Venezuela on Thursday strongly condemned the bombings.
"The government and the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela express
their strong condemnation of the terrorist attacks perpetrated at hotels in
Amman and regret the loss of innocent lives brought about by such acts,"
Venezuela's foreign ministry said in a statement.
The statement also offered Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's condolences to the
families of the victims of the hotel bombings, which it said were "deplorable
acts of terror".
Pope Benedict XVI yesterday called for courage in seeking lastingpeace and
respect for human rights in the Middle East.
"Deeply saddened to learn of the cruel acts of violence and disrespect for law
and human life perpetrated in the city of Amman, the Holy Father sends heartfelt
condolences," a telegram to King Abdullah said.
The Pope was praying for the victims and the injured, and offered consolation to
their families, according to the telegram, sent by the Vatican's secretary of
state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano.
It said Benedict invoked "unfailing courage upon all who work for lasting peace
and respect for human rights in the Middle East."
Turkey's foreign minister called for greater international cooperation in the
fight against terrorism.
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi expressed shock, saying the
international community must step up its fight against terrorism.
Japan said "terrorism cannot be justified for any reason." "Our country
reiterates our strong condemnation against such cruel acts of terrorism that
victimise many innocent people," a foreign ministry statement said.
Thailand's monarch sent a message Thursday to King Abdullah expressing his
condolences.
"I am greatly saddened by the news of the tragic bombings in Amman, which have
caused considerable loss of lives and number of wounded persons," King Bhumibol
Adulyadej said in the message.
New Zealand said the bombings were "abhorrent" terror attacks.
"Terrorist attacks of any kind must be condemned, but those which target
innocent bystanders are particularly abhorrent," Prime Minister Helen Clark said
of the blasts Wednesday night.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said he was saddened by the deadly bombings
in Amman and told King Abdullah that any compromise with terrorism was
"forbidden," his office said Thursday.
The prime minister telephoned the King to say he was "greatly saddened" by the
attacks and offered any assistance that Jordan may require, his office said in a
statement.
Late Wednesday, Iran condemned the blasts and expressed sympathies to the
Kingdom, saying such acts contradict with basic principles of human rights.