Asian leaders condemn Atlanta Olympic blast

Asian leaders condemn Atlanta Olympic blast

TOKYO (AFP): Asian leaders yesterday condemned the fatal
Atlanta Olympic bombing but the decision to continue the games
despite the attack received widespread support.

The blast, which killed two and injured 110, also prompted
fears for the safety of athletes and led to heightened security
alerts at the Olympic Village for some nations' contingents.

Australian athletes were told not to leave the official Games
Village at all, except to compete, while the South Korea
delegation set an 11:00 p.m. curfew for its members.

Japanese athletes were instructed to return home if they had
finished competing in the centennial Olympics and others were
advised to stay in the Games Village as much as possible and
stick together outside.

The Japanese transport ministry ordered domestic and foreign
airlines to tighten security measures in response to the bombing,
urging them to step up checks on baggage and air cargo, Jiji
Press news agency reported.

Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto sent a message to
U.S. President Bill Clinton Sunday denouncing the attack and
offering Japan's condolences to the victims.

Chinese Olympic team officials said their athletes were
shocked by the attack but were happy with security measures for
the games.

"This was an appalling act of terrorism, which we condemn in
the strongest possible terms," said Wei Jizhong, secretary
general of the Chinese Olympic Committee.

He said China's 310-member delegation to the Olympics had
relayed its condolences to the victims of the bombing and their
families but supported the decision to continue the games.

"We are very strongly in favor of this decision," Wei said.
"Naturally, they (athletes) were very upset, but they are also
resolved not to give in to any fears or to let this tragedy
affect their participation in the games."

Indian Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda expressed shock and
grief at the blast and hoped the United States government would
do everything possible to track down the culprits.

"It is disgusting that this should have happened when the
world is celebrating the centenary of the Olympic Games, which
symbolizes the friendship among all the people of the world,"
Deve Gowda said in a statement.

Deve Gowda said the decision to go ahead with the games would
send a signal to the terrorists that they would not succeed in
disrupting the planned activity.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed also condemned
the bombing and called for a united world stand against
terrorism.

"The blast is a barbaric and cowardly act of senseless
violence," she said in a statement.

"Unified international measures must be taken to combat
terrorism.

"The people of Bangladesh have learnt of the attack with
outrage ... and I feel particularly close to the victims and the
American people at this time."

She expressed her "deep sorrow and anguish" for the victims
and offered her sympathy to their families.

South Korean President Kim Young-Sam sent his condolences to
Clinton over the bomb blast while the foreign ministry reassured
families with relatives watching or competing in the games that
no South Koreans appeared to be among the casualties.

Kim's spokesman said the president had also extended his
sympathy to victims and their families in the telegram to
Clinton.