International Reactions to US Terror Attacks

The world's political leaders have vehemently condemned Tuesday's terrorist attacks on the United States.

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the attacks were deliberate acts of terrorism. "As such I condemn them utterly," Annan said. He added that "cool and reasoned judgement" was now more essential than ever. "We do not know yet who is behind these acts, or what objective they hope to achieve."

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said he was appalled by the events. "No words can adequately express my feelings in response to these barbaric acts of terrorism." Solana continued that the EU "stands firmly and fully" behind the United States. The EU foreign ministers came together for a rare emergency meeting in Brussels to discuss a joint response.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the world community should now join hands in its fight against terrorism.

These sentiments were shared by leaders of all European nations. "This mass terrorism is the new evil in our world," said British Prime Minister Tony Blair. "The people who perpetrate it have no regard whatever for the sanctity or value of human life, and we, the democracies of the world, must come together to defeat it and eradicate it."

Russians spent Tuesday glued to television screens watching the aftermath of the attacks in New York and Washington.

Dozens of Russians gathered outside the U.S. embassy in Moscow. They brought flowers and lit candles for the victims of the attacks.

Russian news agencies said security had been tightened across the country, particularly at government buildings, airports, train stations and on Moscow's metro system.

Security was stepped up around American diplomatic and military buildings in many Asian countries on Wednesday.

In China, state-run media and ordinary people reeled with shock at the suicide attacks. Many Chinese scrambled for information and tried to access foreign news web sites. But Chinese authorities have in the past often blocked many of these sites giving access to unfiltered information.

Many ordinary Chinese condemned the attacks. "The terrorists waged a war against America, against the civilized world", said Chun-Quan Meng from Shaanxi, China. "I hope the U.S. will recover from this unprecedented horrible terrorism attack soon. We Chinese people condole America on the loss of her lovely daughters and brave sons."

"It doesn't matter who did it or what they were upset about, but taking that many innocent lives is a price that's barbaric," said Chen Xiao, who works for a Beijing publishing firm.

But some Chinese said Washington also had itself to blame for the attacks. Anti-U.S. sentiment has been simmering since NATO bombed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade during the Kosovo war in 1999. Another factor which caused tension was this year's collision between a U.S. spy plane and Chinese fighter.