Indonesia, Asian states condemn killing of hostage

Indonesia, Asian states condemn killing of hostage

Agencies, Jakarta/Tokyo

Indonesia and other Asian countries reeled in horror on Wednesday
at the beheading of a South Korean hostage in Iraq, but some of
them joined the United States in praising Seoul for refusing to
bow to the kidnappers' demand to withdraw troops.

"The Indonesian government condemns the 'barbaric killing' and
act of terrorism committed against Kim Sun-il, who was held
hostage by a terrorist group in Iraq," Marty A. Natalegawa told
The Jakarta Post. on Wednesday.

"This act of terrorism cannot be justified on any grounds," he
said.

Riza Sihbudi, a scholar at the Indonesian Institute of
Sciences (LIPI), also condemned the beheading, saying the slaying
of a civilian was unacceptable.

"We, of course, cannot condone the killing of a civilian, but
it also cannot be denied that this is a result of conditions
created by the United States in Iraq. The militants' discontent
at the U.S. is on the rise now," Riza told the Post.

He said that such action had been taken to put pressure on the
U.S.-led coalition to speed up the transfer of sovereignty to the
Iraqi people.

Japan, China and Australia were also among the countries that
along with the United Nations condemned the murder of translator
Kim, 33, whose headless body was found by U.S. troops beside the
road between the flashpoint city of Falluja and Baghdad.

Militants linked to alleged al-Qaeda operative Abu Mussab al-
Zarqawi beheaded Kim on Tuesday after demanding that South Korea
reverse a decision to deploy around 3,600 troops to Iraq.

The United States strongly condemned the brutal act.

"They're trying to force us to withdraw from the world so they
can impose their dark vision on people," U.S. President George W.
Bush told reporters.

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan offered his
condolences and said nothing could justify the killing.

"The secretary general condemns in the strongest terms this
heartless crime, which no political or other cause can justify,"
Annan's spokesman said in a statement.

Iraq's civilian overseer Paul Bremer called the killing
"outrageous".

"My sympathy goes to the family of the young man who was
killed. It shows really the challenges we are up against when you
have people who commit such a grisly operation."

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, said in a message
to her South Korean counterpart Ban Ki-moon that she felt "deep
sorrow and strong anger" for the murder.

"We share deepest sorrow and extend sincere condolences to the
bereaved family, related individuals, your government and your
people," Kawaguchi said.

China, which opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq, and went
through its own hostage drama in April when seven of its citizens
were seized in Falluja, issued a short reaction.

"China feels shocked and condemns it," the foreign ministry
said in a statement.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said the news was
"sickening".

"My heart goes out to that poor man's family who've suffered
so much," Howard said.

After Britain, Australia was the strongest backer of the U.S.-
led invasion of Iraq and has some 850 troops in the country.

Another staunch ally, Manila similarly expressed its
revulsion, with newly elected Philippine President Gloria
Arroyo's spokesman Ricardo Saludo saying: "We condemn any form of
bloodshed."

Malaysia was the first Islamic nation to condemn the killing.
Deputy defense minister Zainal Abidin Zin told AFP: "We are sad
and shocked that this has happened ... we hope the security
situation in Iraq will improve."

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell praised South Korean
President Roh Moo-hyun's refusal to allow the murder to alter his
nation's troop plans.

"These evil-doers will not stop us from our work," Powell
said. "I'm pleased that the South Korean government has been
steadfast over the last several days and remains steadfast in the
face of this kind of terrorism."

Japan, which refused to withdraw from Iraq when three of its
citizens were taken hostage earlier this year, also commended
Roh.

"We share with your government's resolute stance not to bow to
terrorism," Kawaguchi said.