World outrage at Madrid attack
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LONDON, England -- The deadly bombings on Madrid's rail network have drawn an outpouring of condolences from world leaders.
"These irresponsible acts, which cannot have any justification whatsoever, are to be fully condemned. ... In these appalling circumstances, I want to offer you the most sincere condolences, both in my name and in that of the French people." -- French President Jacques Chirac
"This terrible attack underlines the threat that we all continue to face from terrorism in many countries and why we all must work together internationally to safeguard our peoples against such attacks, and defeat terrorism." -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair
"These atrocities are a disgusting assault on the very principle of European democracy. ... We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Spanish people and government in their fight against this kind of terrorism." -- British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw
"With grief and outrage, I have heard of the terrible attacks in Madrid this morning. I am horrified at the high number of deaths and injured. I ask you to convey our sympathy to the victims' families and the Spanish nation. Those who were injured, I wish a speedy and complete recovery." -- German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in a statement to Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar
"We were horrified by the news of the bomb attack in Madrid this morning. This detestable act of terror that claimed so many victims fills us with deep sorrow and outrage." -- German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer
"Terrorism has once again shown it is prepared deliberately to stop at nothing in creating human victims. ... An end must be put to this. As never before, it is vital to unite forces of the entire world community against terror." -- Russian President Vladimir Putin
The United States "vehemently condemns the outrageous and appalling terrorist attacks. ... The United States stands resolutely with Spain in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and against the particular threat that Spain faces from the evil of ETA terrorism. No political pretext can justify this premeditated murder of the innocent." -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell
"Once again we see senseless killing of innoncent people. The killing of innoncent people cannot be justified, regardless of the cause. I offer my deepest sympthany to King Juan Carlos of Spain, to the government and people of Spain and to the people and friends who were killed or injured. And I hope that the perpators will be brought to justice swiftly." -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan
"The Holy Father reiterates his firm and absolute disapproval of such actions that offend God, violate the fundamental right to life and undermine peaceful coexistence." -- Pope John Paul II in a message from the Vatican to Spanish Church authorities
"Every European, every democratic person, has to condemn these people who wanted to interfere with an electoral campaign, producing suffering for hundreds of people, leaving families broken, without any objective." -- European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana
"This is not a political act, it is criminal act against defenseless people ... a perverse act of terrorists." -- European Commission President Romano Prodi
"It is the worst act of terror in the history of Spain. ... There shall be no safe haven for terrorism and terrorists in our European Union. ... It is an outrageous, unjustified and unjustifiable attack on the Spanish people and Spanish democracy. There is a general election due in Spain on Sunday. What happened today is a declaration of war on democracy. Let Sunday show that Spanish democracy is determined to overcome terrorism." -- European Parliament President Pat Cox
"The timing of the bombings was clearly designed to wreak the greatest level of havoc and carnage. They are an attack on the democratic process and cannot be justified by any political cause." -- Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency
"Our solidarity with Spain remains steadfast, as is our alliance's determination to vigorously pursue our efforts to combat terrorism." -- NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop
The Danish government "expressed its deepest sympathy to the victims, their families and to the people of Spain" and "condemned such acts of terror." -- Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller
The attacks are an "abominable violence that wounds every principle of civil existence. ... Madrid's tragedy reminds us of the need that ever more cohesive action by the European Union and the international community must achieve efficient and swift results in uprooting terrorism and see that the reasons of dialogue and solidarity prevail." -- Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi
"There is no possible negotiation with these killers. ... Our aim is to win over terrorism. Only by being firm we can stop (terrorism). We must be firm fighting the terrorists and opposing the final aims they want to achieve." -- Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar
"We don't have ETA claiming these attacks but (they) bear its signatures... ETA is aiming at disrupting democracy in Spain. Terrorism is always aiming at undermining our principles and values and our ability to live peacefully in democracy." -- Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio
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Associated Press contributed to this report.
