Posted on 07/07/2005 9:23:02 AM PDT by Syco
PARIS - World leaders condemned the deadly attacks in London Thursday and quickly ordered security stepped up in their own countries, vowing to cooperate to track down the attackers in a globe-spanning pledge of solidarity.
Spain, bitterly familiar with terror after train bombings in Madrid killed 191 people last year, put its security forces on maximum alert, posting army and police units to watch over airports, train stations and shopping centers.
The government of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero offered its "unconditional help to chase the criminals who perpetrated such a repugnant attack."
A similar response came from France, the object of attacks in the 1990s. Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin ordered the alert level raised and promised Britain the "immediate, full and complete collaboration" of French intelligence.
"It is a drama for Great Britain. It is a drama for all of Europe," Villepin said.
In Washington, the Homeland Security Department asked authorities in major cities for heightened vigilance of major transport systems. In the U.S. capital, bomb-sniffing dogs and armed police patrolled subways and buses.
In Denmark, former Foreign Minister Mogens Lykketoft said what others were remembering with likely dread: "This is the continuation of Sept. 11 and the attacks in Madrid ... No one can feel safe."
Russian President Vladimir Putin said terror attacks demand universal condemnation and unity, according to a Kremlin spokesman. Moscow officials ordered stepped-up security measures for the Russian capital's underground transportation system, a subway official said.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder stressed the need for fighting terrorism "with all the means at our disposal."
As in many other European countries, Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt called an emergency response meeting to assess security measures in Brussels, which houses the European Union and NATO.
In Strasbourg, France, seat of the European Parliament, European Parliament President Josep Borrell, of Spain, expressed condolences "to all suffering consequences of these barbaric attacks."
"As a citizen of a country that only last year experienced the horrors of such terrible attacks, I want to send a message of solidarity with British people .... We will never let atrocities or terrorism defeat the values of peace and democracy."
At Vatican City, Pope Benedict XVI called the attacks "barbaric acts against humanity," and said in a telegram to Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, archbishop of Westminster, that he was praying for families of the victims.
"This is all wanton violence," Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said after an audience with the pope.
Security in Copenhagen's new driverless underground system was stepped up, and, in Norway, the Foreign Ministry summoned its crisis team. In the Swedish capital, Stockholm, top police chiefs met.
Candles appeared in front of the British Embassy in Warsaw, Poland, shortly after news of the attacks flashed around the world.
Australia's national counterterrorism group met late Thursday, and Canberra set up a hot line for relatives of the hundreds of thousands Australians who live in Britain.
In Turkey, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul urged greater international cooperation against terrorism, saying it is a mistake "if we make a distinction between 'my terrorist and his terrorist.'"
"A similar response came from France, the object of attacks in the 1990s. Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin ordered the alert level raised and promised Britain the "immediate, full and complete collaboration" of French intelligence."
They went that-away!!
Kerry made a statement. I was wondering if there have been any reports about anything from the "Arab street" & after I didn't find anything, I took a quick gander at DUmmyland & they had something about Kerry's response.
Maybe the world will get their head straight now that's this has occured twice in their own home turf, but even if they don't, Tony knows what they face. Our President know what they face. Our allies understand the risks. WE'LL stand with britain as an attack on them is an attack on us.
John Kerry - Spokesman for the Arab Street. I love it!
the union jack is flying on my front door in alabama.
I love england and i cried when i heard this news
One Brit is probably worth Fifty Continental Europeans in a foxhole anyway.
That's exactly what Spain's population should be wondering!
Dear Senator Durbin:
Any London blood on your hands today?
Sincerely,
Peacebaby
Tony Blair: Gee - uh - thanks. We'll get back to you.
As far as comments, the Dems can throw caution to the wind because they have the mainstream media as their press secretary.
No, Kerry's statement was fine. Support Tony Blair, joining President Bush, standard fare. OTOH, some of the DUmmy's are a whole nother matter. They're pretty much of a stand in for the Arab street.
Has the Arab gutter been heard from on this?
I don't believe the EU has sent a dozen helicopters to Afghanistan. I don't believe this will change their mentality outside the UK. They do not see this a struggle that affects them. They think they can let others fight if a fight is necessary, which they're unsure of in the first place. Remember, these are the people who think Michael Moore is a hero!
Bump to my #34.
Netanyahu Changed Plans Due to Warning
By AMY TEIBEL, Associated Press Writer Thu Jul 7, 7:14 AM ET
JERUSALEM - British police told the Israeli Embassy in London minutes before Thursday's explosions that they had received warnings of possible terror attacks in the city, a senior Israeli official said.
Benjamin Netanyahu had planned to attend an economic conference in a hotel over the subway stop where one of the blasts occurred, and the warning prompted him to stay in his hotel room instead, government officials said.
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said he wasn't aware of any Israeli casualties.
Just before the blasts, Scotland Yard called the security officer at the Israeli Embassy to say they had received warnings of possible attacks, the official said. He did not say whether British police made any link to the economic conference.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the nature of his position.
The Israeli Embassy was in a state of emergency after the explosions in London, with no one allowed to enter or leave, said the Israeli ambassador to London, Zvi Hefet.
All phone lines to the embassy were down, said Danny Biran, an Israeli Foreign Ministry official.
The ministry set up a situation room to deal with hundreds of phone calls from concerned relatives. Thousands of Israelis are living in London or visiting the city at this time, Biran said.
Amir Gilad, a Netanyahu aide, told
Israel Radio that Netanyahu's entourage was receiving updates all morning from British security officials, and "we have also asked to change our plans."
Netanyahu had been scheduled to stay in London until Sunday, but that could change, Gilad said
So all Dem Senators will have the same soundbite. How unoriginal.
A "drama"? What is it with this guy? It's a mass freakin' murder, Monsier le Bonehead. This isn't a tea party.
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