The Hindu : Germany, U.K., Japan condemn attack

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 26, 2002

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Germany, U.K., Japan condemn attack

By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI SEPT. 25. Germany and Japan have condemned the terrorist attack on the Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar on Tuesday.

In a statement released here, the German Foreign Minister, Jonschka Fischer, said: "The Federal Government condemns the attack on a temple in Gujarat...the terrible images of the dead and the wounded are agonising...the attempt to spread hatred between different sections of society and to prevent peaceful co-existence should not be allowed to succeed. The Federal Government hopes that this heinous attack will not give rise to new violence in Gujarat".

The British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, said on Tuesday night that he was horrified by the attack on innocent civilians in Gujarat. "I strongly condemn all acts of terrorism. Religion can never be an excuse or justification for violence," Mr. Straw said. "My thoughts are with the victims and their relatives," he added.

The Japanese Foreign Minister, Yoriko Kawaguchi, said that her Government strongly condemned the "atrocious and indiscriminate killing which took place at a Hindu temple" in Gujarat.

Reaffirming its determination towards eradication of "any form" of terrorism, Ms. Kawaguchi said: "The Government of Japan expresses its deep sorrow over the victims of this attack and sincere condolences to the bereaved families as well as the Government and the people of India".

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