World leaders offer sympathy, support and profound sadness
International Reaction
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Tony Blair praised the courage of the people of New York as he offered Britain's "deep condolences and sympathy" for the latest tragedy to engulf the city.
The Prime Minister told the Lord Mayor's Banquet at the Guildhall in London: "Our hearts go out to the brave people there who have been through so much and with such dignity and courage."
Mr Blair expressed his shock about the crash in New York to President George Bush during a 25-minute telephone call, less than two hours after the disaster. Mr Blair's official spokesman said the main purpose of the call was to express Britain's condolences to the President and the people of America and New York.
"Whatever the cause, the Prime Minister was anxious that the President should hear first-hand this country's condolences," he said.
Mr Blair was informed about the crash as he finished a working lunch at Downing Street with Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Prime Minister of India, during which they discussed the war on terrorism. "The shock around the table was palpable," said Mr Blair's spokesman.
Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, who was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, was "profoundly shocked". He said: "Our first thoughts are with those who have perished and for their loved ones who have to bear the news. But our hearts must also go out to all New Yorkers for whom, whatever the cause, this further disaster will have reopened the wounds of September 11."
Iain Duncan Smith, the Tory leader, said: "This crash is a tragedy for the American people and my thoughts are with all the families and loved ones of the victims. Although we cannot speculate about the cause, we pray that it is not terrorism."
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, delayed his address to the Church of England's General Synod to break the news and lead members in silence and prayer. "Our hearts go out to the people of America as, once again, they grieve," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them."
World leaders were also quick to express their horror at New York's second tragedy in two months. Lionel Jospin, the French Prime Minister, called an emergency meeting of ministers and defence advisers to discuss the implications of the crash. Shortly before the meeting, Mr Jospin expressed his "profound emotion and great sadness" to the families of the crash victims.
Gerhard Schroder, the German Chancellor, expressed his "deep sympathy" to President Bush in a telegram saying he "learned with dismay of the crash in New York, a city that already has been so badly hit."
Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, left Moscow for Washington last night to hold talks with President Bush despite the crash in New York. "His plans remain unchanged," a Kremlin spokeswoman said.
Kamal Kharrazi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, expressed his condolences to the American people and the families of the victims of the crash, which happened just before a historic meeting with Colin Powell, the US Secretary of State. Mr Powell went up to him, shook his hand and thanked him for his condolences.
Danilo Turk, the United Nations Assistant Secretary of State said the news was "terrible" and shook his head as he went into a meeting in New York of foreign ministers from the United States, Russia and Afghanistan's six neighbours to discuss a post-Taliban government for that country.
Speeches in the General Assembly continued, but ministers were clearly affected by the crash. Ismail Cem, Turkey's Foreign Minister, said: "My condolences to all the lives that seem to be lost again in New York."
Patricia Durrant, Jamaica's UN Ambassador and the current Security Council president, said: "I have been asked by the Security Council to express our sincere and heartfelt sympathies to the people and the government of the United States and the families of those who have lost their lives," she said.
Delegates to the World Trade Organisation's ministerial conference in Doha observed a minute's silence in honour of the victims of the crash called by the chairman Qatar's Trade Minister Youssef Kamal.
Walter Schwimmer, general secretary of the Council of Europe, said: "America has suffered a new tragedy. Although we do not yet know the cause, following the terrorist attacks on September 11th, New York has suffered another blow. I feel a deep sadness and express ... our condolences and our solidarity with the American government and the families of the victims."
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