World leaders condemn Jakarta hotel bombing

World leaders condemn Jakarta hotel bombing

Agencies
Sydney, Australia/Manila/Singapore

World leaders expressed horror and outrage on Tuesday at a car
bomb blast that ripped through a hotel in downtown Jakarta,
killing at least 13 people.

The United States on Tuesday condemned the "deplorable
terrorist" attack in Indonesia and offered President Megawati
Soekarnoputri help in bringing those responsible to justice.

"We strongly condemn this terrorist attack in Jakarta," White
House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters in Crawford,
Texas, where President George W. Bush is spending a month-long
working vacation at his ranch.

"This is a deplorable attack on innocent civilians," McClellan
said. "We fully support President Megawati and her administration
in their efforts to fight terror and rout out terrorism and we
stand ready to help in any way to help bring those responsible to
justice."

Australian Prime Minister John Howard condemned the Jakarta
hotel bombing on Tuesday as countries said the attack reinforced
the need for international cooperation to tackle terrorism.

"I am quite horrified at what appears to be a brutal terrorist
attack," said Howard.

"If, as it appears likely, it is a terrorist attack, it is yet
another reminder that the fight against Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) and
other groups goes on," he said.

"It will be a fight that will take years and require the
cooperation of all of the agencies in the region," said Howard,
whose government has been one of the United States' staunchest
allies in its war on terror.

Howard said Australia had been approached by Indonesian police
to send police assistance and he had authorized Australian
Federal Police already in Jakarta to help the Indonesian police
in their response.

"We will respond to any requests they make of us because we
are partners together in this war against terrorism," he said.

Australia warned its citizens to steer clear of central
Jakarta after a huge explosion outside the JW Marriott Hotel.

Leaders of the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia also
condemned the attack.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo condemned the
bombing in the "strongest possible terms."

"The Philippines deplores this attack against innocent
civilians. Whatever cause is espoused by the terrorists who
planned and committed this dastardly act is not helped by their
resort to senseless violence.

"This attack does not and cannot alter the resolve of the
international community to fight terror," she said.

Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said the "barbaric
attack" on Tuesday against innocent civilians at the JW Marriott
Hotel in Jakarta "will again affect the confidence of investors
and tourists in Indonesia and the region."

In a letter to Megawati, Goh noted Indonesia has just
recovered the bomb blasts on the island of Bali Oct. 12, 2002.

"We strongly condemn these dastardly acts of terror, and stand
by Indonesia as you take the necessary measures to bring the
perpetrators to justice," Goh said.

"I have full confidence that your government and the people of
Indonesia will prevail through these difficult times," Goh added.

Four Singaporeans were among those injured in the explosion at
the hotel, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said: "What is
very clear is that terrorist threats are not over. We have all
the time got to be watchful.

"There is a need for preemptive action. If there are
preventive laws and investigations are carried out, it may be
easier for us to trace the activities of the terrorists. But
terrorism is a difficult problem. It needs the cooperation of all
countries."

France also condemned the blast, with foreign ministry
spokesman Herve Ladsous saying: "This attack highlights more than
ever the need for the entire international community to engage in
the fight against terrorism, in all its forms."

China condemned the bombing and would support Indonesia's
persistent efforts to crack down on terrorism and maintain
domestic stability, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan was
quoted as saying by the official Xinhua news agency in Beijing.