World leaders are
reacting to the deadliest violence to strike France since World War II. Some of
their views:
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
Obama
is calling the attacks on Paris "outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent
civilians" and is vowing to do whatever it takes to help bring the
perpetrators to justice.
Speaking
to reporters at the White House, Obama said he would not speculate about who
was responsible.
He
called the attacks a "heartbreaking situation" and an "attack on
all of humanity."
Associated Press report continues:
U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE
JOHN KERRY
Kerry
is describing the attacks in Paris as "heinous, evil" and
"vile," calling them "an assault on our common humanity."
Kerry
says the U.S. embassy in Paris is "making every effort to account for the
welfare of American citizens in the city."
He
says the U.S. stands ready "to provide whatever support the French
government may require."
UNITED NATIONS
U.N.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is condemning "the despicable terrorist
attacks" in Paris.
U.N.
spokesman Stephane Dujarric says Ban "trusts that the French authorities
will do all in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice quickly."
The
U.N. Security Council also condemned "the barbaric and cowardly terrorist
attacks," and underlined the need to bring the perpetrators of "these
terrorist acts to justice."
GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA
MERKEL
Merkel
says she is "deeply shaken by the news and pictures that are reaching us
from Paris."
The
German leader issued a statement saying her thoughts were with the victims
"of the apparent terrorist attack."
IRANIAN PRESIDENT HASSAN
ROUHANI
Rouhani
has sent a message to French President Francois Hollande condemning the terror
attacks in Paris that killed over 120 people.
The
state-run IRNA news agency quoted Rouhani as saying Saturday that Iran
"itself has been a victim of the scourge of terrorism" and the fight
against terrorism must go on.
Rouhani
also canceled visits to France and Italy, due in a few days. France was one of
the world powers involved in recent negotiations with the Islamic Republic over
its contested nuclear program.
Hossein
Jaber Ansari, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, also was quoted by IRNA as saying:
"Those terrorist groups that committed the Paris crimes do not believe in
ethical principles and they are not loyal to any type of divine religions —
including Islam."
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER
DAVID CAMERON
Cameron
says he is "shocked" by the Paris attacks and violence.
Cameron
said on Twitter: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We
will do whatever we can to help."
PERSIAN GULF COUNTRIES
In
the United Arab Emirates, the state-run WAM news agency says President Sheikh
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a telegram to French President Francois
Hollande offering his condolences and pledging support for France. WAM says Al
Nahyan also supported doing "what it takes to face terrorism and eliminate
it."
The
ruler of tiny Kuwait, emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, says in a statement
that he offered his condolences, while stressing that "these criminal acts
of terrorism ... run counter to all teachings of holy faith and humanitarian
values."
In
Saudi Arabia, the state-run Saudi Press Agency quoted a Foreign Ministry
official denouncing Friday's attack.
CHINA FOREIGN MINISTRY
Foreign
Ministry spokesman Hong Lei says China is "deeply shocked" by the
attacks and pledged solidarity with France in combating terrorism.
"Terrorism
is a common challenge facing humanity. China resolutely supports France in
maintaining its national security and stability and in attacking
terrorism," Hong said.
JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER
Japan's
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida says he is "deeply shocked and outraged"
by the news of the terrorist attacks in Paris.
Kishida,
speaking to reporters Saturday in Hiroshima, said Japan stands by France,
promising to cooperate in international fight against terrorism.
"We
strongly condemn the act of terrorism, which we do not tolerate for any
reason," he said, expressing condolences to the victims and their
families.
U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY
ASH CARTER
Carter
is calling the attacks in Paris "an assault on our common human
dignity."
The
Pentagon chief says "the United States stands with the people of France
and its vibrant, multicultural democracy."
He
is praising France as a NATO ally and a leader of the coalition fighting
Islamic State militants in Syria.
CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER
JUSTIN TRUDEAU
"Our
hearts and thoughts and prayers go out to our French cousins in this dark and
terrible time," Trudeau says.
He
says Canada has offered "all of our help and support to the government of
France."
U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL
LORETTA LYNCH
Lynch
says the U.S. stands "in solidarity with France, as it has stood with us
so often in the past."
"This is a devastating
attack on our shared values and we at the Department of Justice will do
everything within our power to assist and work in partnership with our French
law enforcement colleagues," she said in a statement.
No comments:
Post a Comment