- The assassination of the Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin
provoked widespread condemnation from world leaders amid predictions of
a new cycle of violence in the Middle East and calls for calm. Only the
United States fell short of outright criticism of the attack.
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- UNITED NATIONS
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- The UN secretary general, Kofi Annan: "I do condemn
the targeted assassination of Ahmed Yassin and the others who died with
him. Such actions are not only contrary to international law but they do
not help the search for a peaceful solution."
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- UNITED STATES
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- Condoleezza Rice, National Security Adviser: "Let's
remember Hamas is a terrorist organisation and Sheikh Yassin has himself,
we believe, been involved in terrorist planning."
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- Scott McClellan, a White House spokesman: "We are
deeply troubled by this morning's actions in Gaza."
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- Lou Fintor, a state department spokesman: "The US
urges all sides to remain calm and exercise restraint ... There was no
warning given to us."
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- EUROPEAN UNION
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- Javier Solana, EU foreign policy chief: "[This]
is very bad news for the peace process."
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- EU foreign ministers' joint statement: "Not only
are extra-judicial killings contrary to international law, they undermine
the concept of the rule of law which is a key element in the fight against
terrorism."
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- BRITAIN
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- Jack Straw, Foreign Secretary: "It is unacceptable,
it is unjustified and it is very unlikely to achieve its objectives. This
kind of so-called targeted killing is well outside international law. I
believe it was impolitic. We have to try to ensure that there is, none
the less, as calm a response as possible in the Arab world."
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- FRANCE
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- President Jacques Chirac: "France unreservedly condemn
not only terrorism but all acts of violence, especially when it is a question
of an attack which breaks international laws."
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- THE VATICAN
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- "The Holy See unites with the international community
in deploring this act of violence that cannot be justified in any state
of law. Lasting peace cannot come from a show of force."
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- GERMANY
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- Joschka Fischer, Foreign Minister: "[I am] concerned
about the possible consequences. Everything must be done to avoid a further
escalation. Progress must be made with initiatives in the Middle East."
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- AUSTRIA
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- Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Foreign Minister: "It would
be good if the Quartet nations could meet again. We must contain the Middle
East conflict."
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- NORWAY
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- Jan Petersen, Foreign Minister: "This act will contribute
to increased tensions in the area and will make it more difficult to implement
the road map for peace and a possible Israeli withdrawal from Gaza."
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- POLAND
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- Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, Foreign Minister: "I'm
afraid it may have negative consequences not only in terms of Israeli-Palestinian
conflict but the threat of terrorist attacks on other countries, including
European [ones], is growing."
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- DENMARK
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- Per Stig Moeller, Foreign Minister: "We have to
fight terror everywhere. Israel also has to fight terror ... but extrajudicial
killings is not one of the ways."
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- EGYPT
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- President Hosni Mubarak: "With this act we have
aborted the peace process today. It will have big effects on the region."
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- JORDAN
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- King Abdullah II: "We are pained by what happened
despite our persistent efforts with all sides, including the Israeli government,
to refrain from its policy of military escalation."
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- SYRIA
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- President Bashar Assad: "[This is] the climax of
terrorism that Israel is continuously practising."
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- LEBANON
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- Rafik Hariri, Prime Minister: "[The assasination]
will push the region into a new cycle of violence and terrorism and undermine
any hope for achieving peace in the Middle East."
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- IRAN
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- President Mohammed Khatami: "The heinous crime reflects
a cowardly behaviour of the occupying Israeli regime as well as its fear
of Palestinian resistance, which is centred on their religious faith."
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- KUWAIT
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- Mohammed al-Saqer, head of the foreign affairs committee
in parliament, : "They [Israelis] say that Hamas is a terrorist organisation,
but the truth is that Israel is a terrorist state."
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- SOUTH AFRICA
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- Government statement: "Extra judicial assassinations
are in contravention of international law [and] strengthen those not committed
to achieving peace in the Middle East."
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- SUDAN
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- Hassan Turabi, Sudanese Islamic leader: "I think
that this will put pressure on the Arab governments that have so far let
down the Palestinian cause."
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- CHINA
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- Kong Quan, foreign ministry spokesman: "We are deeply
worried about the impact on the region. We are watching the development
of the situation."
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- AUSTRALIA
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- A spokesman for the Foreign Minister Alexander Downer:
"We would urge calm on both sides to try and prevent any further decline
into violence in that region."
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- © 2004 Independent Digital (UK) Ltd
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- http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/story.jsp?story=504104
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