World leaders condemn Nice terror attack
NICE (AP) — World leaders are expressing dismay, sadness and solidarity with France over the attack carried out by a man who rammed a truck into crowds celebrating France’s national day in Nice, killing 84 people.
US President Barack Obama condemned what he said “appears to be a horrific terrorist attack” in Nice.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and lovedones of those killed.”
Noting that the attack occurred on Bastille Day, Obama praised “the extraordinary resilience and democratic values that have made France an inspiration to the entire world.”
US Secretary of State John Kerry called it a “horrendous attack in Nice. ... I was proud to stand alongside French leaders earlier today at Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, and the United States will continue to stand firmly with the French people during this time of tragedy.”
Both presidential candidates also condemned the attacks, with Republican Donald Trump declaring “this is war” and Democrat Hillary Clinton vowing “we will not be intimidated.”
Clinton said that “every American stands in strong solidarity with the people of France, and we say with one voice: we will not be intimidated. We will never allow terrorists to undermine the egalitarian and democratic values that underpin our very way of life.”
Trump, who postponed plans to announce his vice presidential pick because of the attacks, said “this is war. If you look at it, this is war coming from all different parts. And frankly it’s war and we’re dealing with people without uniforms.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin, on the other hand, said he has been “shocked by the violence and exceptional cynicism” of Thursday’s attack in Nice.
Putin said yesterday in a message of condolences to French President Francois Hollande that terrorism can be defeated only if “all civi- lized mankind pulls efforts together” to fight militants, their leaders as well as targeting their financial backers “wherever they are hiding.”
Putin said Russia is willing to work closely with France and other countries to fight terrorism which is “devoid of any human moral.”
European Council president Donald Tusk expressed consternation that France was attacked on its national day and said the world stands united with the French people.
”It is a tragic paradox that the victims of the attack people celebrating liberty, quality and fraternity. We will stand united with the families of victims, the French people and the government in the fight against violence and hatred,” Tusk said at a meeting of Asian and European leaders in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.
Belgium Foreign Minister Didier Reynders expressed dismay that France was once again the target of an apparent terrorist attack.”
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said three Australians suffered minor injuries while fleeing the scene.
”It has shocked France, it has rocked it to its core,” Bishop told reporters in the Western Australia capital of Perth.
“This should have been a time of great national pride and celebration.”
Bishop condemned the violence, saying it was a reminder that “no country is immune from terrorist attacks.”
” We support our friends and partners in France and we join with others around the world in hoping that this will be the end of this type of horrific incident that is targeted at unarmed civilians,” she said.