Obama leads chorus of world outrage over Paris attacks
US President Barack Obama led a chorus
of global condemnation of a wave of
attacks in Paris on Friday that left at
least 127 people dead, as nations pledged
solidarity with France.
The coordinated killings reverberated
around the world after the shootings by
gunmen shouting “Allahu akbar”,
explosions and a hostage-taking at a
popular concert venue in the French
capital.
Countries such as the United States,
Britain, Spain and India, which have
experienced their own mass-casualty
attacks, were among the first to voice
their condemnation.
Herewith some of the highlights among
reactions:
An attack on all of humanity
“It’s an attack not just on the people of
France. But this is an attack on all of
humanity and the universal values we
share.
“We are reminded in this time of tragedy
that the bonds of liberte, egalite,
fraternite are not just the values French
people share, but we share.
“Those go far beyond any act of
terrorism or the hateful vision of those
who perpetrated the crimes this
evening.”
– Barack Obama
Whatever we can do
“We will do whatever we can to help.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron,
whose country was hit by a series of
coordinated suicide bombings in 2005 in
which 52 people were killed and
hundreds wounded, describing the
attacks as “horrifying and sickening”.
A hugely cruel challenge
“All of this confirms that we are facing
an unprecedented challenge, a hugely
cruel challenge.”
– Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo, the
foreign minister of Spain, where 191
people were killed in train bombings in
2004.
Anguishing and dreadful
“The news from Paris is anguishing &
dreadful.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
whose country was hit by two major
attacks in 2006 and 2008 that saw a total
of 355 people killed.
Sadness and pain
“We share the sadness and the pain of
the French people… Terrorist crimes are
not and cannot be justified. The Paris
tragedy requires of us all to unite in the
fight against extremism, to bring a
strong answer to terrorists’ actions.”
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry
Medvedev, whose country has been
bombing the Islamic State group and
other “terrorists” in Syria since late
September. The United States and its
allies have said Moscow is mainly
targeting more moderate forces fighting
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Common battle against terrorism
“Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with
French President Francois Hollande and
with the people of France in our common
battle against terrorism.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu. France’s Jewish community
was among the targets of the last attacks
Paris in January. Netanyahu told
France’s Jewish community — the largest
in Europe and one of the largest in the
world — after the January attacks on
Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish
supermarket that they would be
welcomed with open arms by Israel.
The consequences of terrorism
“As a country that knows very well the
manner and consequences of terrorism,
we understand perfectly the suffering
that France is experiencing now.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of
Turkey, where twin bombings on a peace
rally in Ankara last month killed 102
people.
Crimes against humanity
“I strongly condemn these crimes against
humanity.”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, as
Tehran announced he would postpone a
scheduled trip to Paris.
Europe is with France
“In the process of following with pain
and dread the events in Paris… Europe is
with France and the French people.”
-European Union foreign policy chief
Federica Mogherini.
Profoundly shocked
“Profoundly shocked by the news and
images from Paris”
– Angela Merkel, the chancellor of
neighboring Germany.
Words are not enough
“Shocked and appalled by new attacks in
#Paris. Words are not enough.”
– Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders.
A black Friday for France
“This is indeed a black Friday for France
and for the world.”
-Foreign Minister Julie Bishop of
Australia, where a lone gunman
reportedly shouting Islamist slogans
killed a man outside police headquarters
in Sydney last month.
The work of the devil
“It is a global struggle for freedom
against those who seek to suppress it and
seek to assert some form of religious
tyranny; a threat in the name of God but
is truthfully the work of the devil.”
– Australian Prime Minister Malcolm
Turnbull, praising the French people for
their response and describing France as
“the home of freedom”.
The French spirit will prevail
“This is a terrible assault on a beautiful
city with warm, cheerful, hospitable
people… We must not let the terrorists
divide us or destroy our spirit. I know
the French spirit will prevail.”
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan of
Singapore, which raised its alert level,
one of the many foreign dignitaries due
in Paris for global climate change talks
starting at the end of this month.
Tragic times
“In these tragic times for the French
people, I want… to condemn in the
strongest ways this barbarous act.”
– Chinese President Xi Jinping.
A common challenge
“Terrorism is a common challenge,
which the whole (of) humanity is
facing”.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman
Hong Lei, who added that Beijing was
“profoundly shocked”.
Brutal, barbaric and cowardly
“These brutal, barbaric & coward attacks
show that terrorists have no religion…
Global efforts must eliminate terrorism.”
-Afghan chief executive Abdullah
Abdullah.
Heinous
“The heinous terrorist attacks that took
place yesterday… are in violation and
contravention of all ethics, morals and
religions.”
– Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.
Enemies of all humanity
“The merciless killings of Paris citizens
indicates that terrorists do not know
borders. They’re enemies of all
humanity.”
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.
Brutal carnage
“I condemn this act of terror… this brutal
carnage.”
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of
Pakistan.
We must remain united
“We must remain united in the war
against terrorism.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Horror and consternation
“It was with horror and consternation
that I learnt of the odious attacks…
including on a Cambodian restaurant.”
– Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Heightened security
“A time that demands heightened
security from all of us.”
Spokeswoman for Philippine President
Benigno Aquino’s government, which is
preparing to host the annual Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation summit on
November 18-19.
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