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.