As the search for the perpetrators of Mumbai's twin terror blasts intensified yesterday, US President George W. Bush led a chorus of international outrage over the bombings that killed 46 people and wounded more than 150.
"Acts of terror are intended to sow fear and chaos among free peoples," Bush said in a statement released in Crawford, Texas, where he is staying at his ranch. "I hope that the perpetrators of these murders will be identified quickly and brought to justice."
PHOTO: REUTERS
Monday's atrocity "emphasizes yet again the importance of the international community taking firm action to deal with the poison of international terrorism," British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said.
Britain, India's former colonial ruler, urged its citizens to be vigilant when visiting India's financial capital, but said there was no reason to believe foreigners were the target of the attack.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan (孔泉) said Beijing was "shocked and condemns the explosions causing heavy casualties among the civilians."
Those sentiments were echoed elsewhere in Asia.
"The government of Japan reaffirms its position that terrorism cannot be justified, whatever kind it may be, and resolutely condemns again terrorism in any form," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hatsuhisa Takashima.
In Thailand, Foreign Ministry spokesman Sihasak Phuangketkeow said his country was on alert for terror threats.
"It's not just because of this recent incident in Mumbai," he said. "We are tightening security and working closely with friends in terms of information exchanges."
Singapore, which has a large ethnic Indian population, said it was "shocked and saddened" by the "loss of many innocent lives" and Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer condemned the bombings.
"Australians will deeply sympathize with the families of those affected given our own experience of terrorism," Downer said, referring to the 88 Australians who were among the 202 people killed in terror bombings on the Indonesian vacation island of Bali last year.
Downer said terrorism would be a central theme for talks planned for Thursday in Australia with Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha.
New Zealand's Foreign Minister Phil Goff said the bombers had wanted "maximum civilian casualties."
The US Department of State said it hoped the perpetrators would be brought to justice quickly. Secretary of State Colin Powell telephoned Sinha to voice his outrage and to extend condolences.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan "utterly condemns the terrorist bomb attack ... [and] conveys his heartfelt condolences to the government of India and the bereaved families of the victims of these despicable acts of terrorism," UN deputy spokeswoman Hua Jiang said in New York.
Within hours of the blasts, Pakistan -- previously accused by India of sponsoring Islamic militants -- also condemned the Mumbai blasts, calling them "wanton targeting of civilians."
In neighboring Sri Lanka, a political analyst said the blasts underscored the need for rapprochement between India and Pakistan.
"Engaging in a blame game at this point might delay them sitting down and talking to each other," said Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, of the Center for Policy Alternatives, an independent think tank.
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