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| World Leader's Reactions on Coalition Attacks |
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MON, OCT 08, 2001
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After the coalition attacks led by the US and Britain in Afghanistan early this morning, the world responded with different reactions with most western countries standing on side of the United States. Leaders of EU member states have voiced strong backing for the strikes and pledged support in military operations.
With most countries expressing their support, however, countries like Iraq and Iran have condemned the anti-Terrorist attacks. Iraqi President Saddam Hussein called it "aggression" against Afghanistan. And Iran has described it as "unacceptable", worrying that innocent Afghans may be harmed.
Leaders of major European Union powers expressed their support for the US-led military strikes against terrorist training camps and other targets in Afghanistan. The EU said that it was informed of the operation before the military action.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac both expressed their solidarity with the US. They pledged to contribute to the military operation as it unfolds.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said his country would also be prepared to join in the war efforts.
Belgium, the country holding the presidency of EU, believes that the target of the strikes is terrorism and not the Arab or Muslim worlds. It confirms durable solidarity even if the war continues for a sustained period.
Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry voiced full support for the military operation, saying that the Taliban itself has waged the war. It is reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed of the attack in advance. The Russian Air Force and Air Defense troops are on permanent alert, but have not received any additional instructions so far.
Israel made clear its stance on Sunday by saying that it would not do anything to endanger the US campaign. Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres says that Israel will do everything it can to help the US. He suggested a temporary truce between Israelis and Palestinians in order not to divert the US's call for support from Arab states.
Meanwhile, Australia, Greece, New Zealand, Portugal and Hungary have all voiced their backing of the coalition.
The leaders of the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance hailed Sunday's strike, saying that now, its own forces can push ahead into Taliban-controlled territories.
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