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.