World leaders strongly condemn Mumbai, Srinagar explosions

New Delhi, July 12 (UNI) US President George Bush, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and many other world leaders have strongly condemned the series of bomb explosions in Mumbai and Srinagar yesterday which left 183 killed and 714 injured.

President Bush said the US stood with the people and the government of India in strongly condemning the ''atrocities'' against innocent people.

''The United States stands with the people and the government of India and condemns in the strongest terms these atrocities, which were committed against innocent people as they went about their daily lives,'' President Bush said in a written statement issued last night.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, in a message to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, expressed great shock and sadness at the incidents and said the government and people of his country ''unreservedly condemn'' these senseless acts of terror.

''No cause justifies this kind of terrorism against innocent civilians...At this time of grief, our solidarity and support are with the government and the people of India,'' he added.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, in a message to Dr Singh, strongly condemned the ''dastardly and cowardly'' acts of terror and hoped that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice.

She reiterated her country's opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and said she was determined to work with the international community to combat this global scourge.

The Presidency of the European Union conveyed its condolences to the Government of India. Extending its sympathy to the families, relatives and friends of those who have died and wishing a speedy recovery to those who were injured in these atrocities, the European Union deemed it important that those responsible for these barbarous acts of terrorism should be brought to justice.

Canadian Foreign Minister Peter MacKay, while describing the bombings as ''deplorable acts of violence against innocent civilians,'' said the incidents were another awful reminder of the determination of terrorists who use murder as an instrument to advance their political ends.

''Canada stands with India, a proud democracy, in condemning these acts of terror perpetrated by those who value human life less than their own extreme beliefs,'' a statement issued by the Canadian High Commission here said.

United Nations Secretary General XXX Picking up third para of DI 14, BLASTS-MUMBAI-GLOBAL-REACTION.

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