Posted on 07/07/2005 4:55:22 AM PDT by MadIvan
Tony Blair has said terrorists will not succeed in destroying "our values and our way of life" after blasts hit London's transport network.
The prime minister said it was reasonably clear the blasts were a terrorist attack designed to coincide with the G8 summit in Gleneagles.
He said he was flying back to London to hear reports from police and emergency services face-to-face.
But the G8 summit would continue in his absence, he said in a TV address.
Mr Blair said it was "reasonably clear" terrorists were behind the blasts.
"It is important that those engaged in terrorism realise that our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people in a desire to impose extremism on the world," he said.
"Whatever they do, it is our determination that they will never succeed in destroying what we hold dear in this country and in other civilised nations throughout the world."
Mr Blair said all the G8 leaders wanted the meeting to continue in his absence so "that we should continue to discuss the issues that we are discussing and reach the conclusions that we were going to reach".
"Each of the countries around that table have some experience of the effects of terrorism and all the leaders ... share our complete resolution to defeat this terrorism," he continued.
"It is particularly barbaric this has happened on a day when people are meeting to try to help the problems of poverty in Africa and the long term problems of climate change and the environment.
"Just as it's reasonably clear this is a series of terrorist attacks, it's also reasonably clear, that it is designed and meant to coincide with the G8."
BBC political editor Andrew Marr said Mr Blair was clearly extremely upset when he gave his reaction to the blasts.
My condolences to all who are suffering, and my curses to those who did this.
Interesting that Al Qaeda is now (a) not killing themselves and (b) hitting European transportation.
Someone must pay tenfold for this.
Tremendous statement. You chaps do have a way with words.
Is Blair Churchill-- will the Brits heed when he claims we will fight them in the streets. . . ?
We're generally a peaceful people...but there is only so far that you can push us before we get angry and turn around.
Regards, Ivan
How good to know you are well.
It's strange, but I awoke about 4:00 a.m. here on the East Coast of the U.S., and for some reason my mind went to London and the wonderful 5 days I spent there in 1993. I thought of friends I'd made, of the horrible congestion taxes they pay for the privelege of driving in that horrible congestion, thought about the great Chinese food...I thought of the beautiful museums and the fun I had walking Marleybone Street.
So, with those lovely thoughts fresh in my mind, I donned my t-shirt with the Union Jack on it first thing this morning, went downstairs and turned on the television only to be stunned by the dramatic news.
Prayers for all. Thankfully, Blair and the Mayor have responded strongly.
Prayers and condolences for our British friends.
From London to Los Angeles, from Brisbane to Bristol, it's time to round up the Islamics and send them packing.
It's also time to start holding civilians in Arabic and Islamic cultures responsible for the fanaticism of their sons.
most certainly do agree-- it is time our governments realize we are engaged in a war against the bloody terrorists-and as they seem determined to dialogue by
bloodshed -and as too many of 'them' seem to be of that
bloody flase religion of forced submission and destruction,
then let the dialogue be granted in language they understand. We cannot run them all out of our respective
lands and claim the freedom we so love-- but we damn sure can restrict their movement for a time until the bloodshed
stops and true dialogue can take place.
I'm still in a bit of shock over all this, but believe me when I say, we stand with you.
Why not?
for the sole reason our elected government officials have made that claim. Were it to me-- I would so watch and
report any suspected Arab and any known Muslim that they
would find leaving their only rest. certainly not every
Muslim is a terrorist-but their bloody religion dictates that they aid and comfort the bloody terrorists. And for their religion they are suspect.
Ivan, we grieve with you for the loss of life, and the destruction. We stand with you against the evil enemy, and we will win.
You and your countrymen are in our hearts and prayers. We know what this feels like.
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