World reacts to Sharm el-Sheikh bloodbath

Various organizations and governments have condemned the suicide bombings in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh that have left at least 88 people dead.

First to release a statement from the tourism industry was the International Council of Tourism Partners. A joint statement by ICTP chairman Thomas Steinmetz and president Geoffrey Lipman said: “As in all wars, the cost in terms of human suffering is horrendous – innocent victims and their families.

“But there is only one message that must be sent to the perpetrators and that is the message of civilization against barbarism.

“Those who hide behind such cowardly acts such are attacking one of the most fundamental rights every human in entitled to: the freedom to travel in peace.
“We shall have to continue to adapt our lifestyles while the terror continues – like it or not that includes travel for work and leisure.
“But we must only adapt in ways that strengthen our resolve to pursue the values that decent people have espoused for centuries.
“Attackers aim to disrupt and cause fear. ICTP hopes that the traveling public sees through this aim and seizes every effort to fight back through increased vigilance and flexibility. The tourism industry is resilient, and travel is safe.”

Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has reacted with “sorrow and anger,” a UN official said early Saturday.
“The secretary general has reacted with sorrow and anger to the news of the multiple car bombs in the Sinai peninsula, which have cruelly struck the brave Egyptian nation on its National Day,” an unnamed UN spokesman said in a statement.
“Once again, in this tragic month, he condemns the use of terror and indiscriminate violence against civilians, which no cause or belief can possibly justify,” the spokesman for Annan said.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice led international condemnation of wave of bombings. “I condemn the horrific terrorist bombings in Sharm el-Sheikh, our thoughts and prayers are with the families and innocent victims from many nations who suffered in this senseless attack,” Rice said ahead of a visit to the West Bank to meet Palestinian leaders.

The Palestinians meanwhile issued a swift condemnation of the bombings, which came ahead of West Bank talks later Saturday between US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas. “I strongly condemn the terrorist explosions which have happened today in Sharm el-Sheikh and which have killed Egyptian and foreign civilians,” he said in a statement. “I offer my heartfelt support for our Egyptian brothers and President Mubarak in the fight against the terrorists.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday called on countries which have suffered terror attacks to stand united against “international terrorism” in a telegram of condolences to his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak over the Sharm el-Sheik bombings. “International terrorism, committing atrocious crimes one after another in Russia, Great Britain, Egypt and other countries, is trying to force the civilized world to live in fear and violence,” Putin said in his message which was released to the press.

French President Jacques Chirac on Saturday condemned the bombings in Sharm el-Sheikh and reiterated France’s “absolute determination to fight this scourge,” in a statement issued as he was flying back from Madagascar. He voiced France’s “profound solidarity” with the Egyptian people and President Hosni Mubarak and conveyed his “most sorrowful condolences to the families of the victims.”

He “vigorously condemns these attacks and reaffirms France’s absolute determination to fight this scourge of terrorism which nothing could justify,” the statement said.
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin sent a message to Mubarak offering “any help you might judge necessary, particularly in the medical field.” He emphasized that “the fight against terrorism requires from all states mobilization, vigilance and reinforced cooperation.”
France’s Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said that at this stage there did not appear to be any French victims in the bombings.

Israel offered to send army rescue teams to the Red Sea resort on the tip of the Sinai Peninsula to help emergency crews deal with the carnage.
“We forcefully condemn these inhuman acts of terrorism and the army is ready to help our Egyptian neighbors if they need it,” Israeli government spokesman Avi Pazner told AFP.
Iran said it firmly condemned the bombings but called on the United States to change tack in its war on terror.
“We appeal to Western countries not to impose restrictions on Muslims as these attacks have nothing to do with Muslims and placing restrictions on Muslims is the best way of helping the terrorists,” foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi told reporters.

He said the wave of bombings against Western targets showed the folly of Washington’s approach to Islamic militancy.
“The approach of the United States in the war on terror has made the world a less safe place. Every day we are seeing attacks around the world… it’s because of the the incorrect and childish approach of the United States.
“The United States must change its policy in the war against terror, give up its double standards and extend its hand to the international community, as the sole means of combating terrorism is through international cooperation.” Russia and Japan also condemned the bombings.
“We strongly condemn this criminal act and hope that the terrorists will be found and severely punished,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement posted on its Internet site.
In Tokyo, a foreign ministry official said the government was “gravely shocked” by the attacks “Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason, and the government of Japan firmly condemns atrocious terrorism that victimizes many innocent people,” he said.

(with inputs from wires and the United Nations)

Photo credit: Euronews
HONOLULU (eTurboNews)