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2005 London bombings
Main articles
7 July bombers
21 July bombers
Locations
See also
File:20050707-187s.jpg
Prime Minister Tony Blair speaks at the G8 summit.

The 7 July 2005 London bombings were a series of four terrorist bombs which exploded on the London Underground and a bus during the morning rush hour, killing more than 50 people. The attacks propted a massive response from the emergency services, and in the immediate aftermath the almost complete shut down of London's public transport system. Over the following hours and days there were several security alerts throughout the country, and in some foreign cities. Residents of London showed a determination to defy the attacks and over the following week the city largely returned to normality, though with several further security alerts and reduced underground rail service.

Security alerts

Security responses in the UK

  • Security alerts were reported at Brighton, Luton, Birmingham and Swindon as well as other locations. In Brighton there was a controlled explosion of a suspicious briefcase at approximately 12:55 in a telephone box outside Brighton station. The briefcase was later found to be harmless, and the station was re-opened. [1] In Birmingham, on the evening of 9 July, the city centre was evacuated by police and a package on a bus was detonated. East Croydon station was closed due to a suspect package, but was later re-opened. There were reports of Victoria Station being cordoned off by police amid reports of a ‘suspicious package’ on a bus near the station.
  • There were reports of a controlled explosion at Coventry bus station, as well as two controlled explosions carried out on a Lothian Buses double-decker on Princes Street in the centre of Edinburgh at around 17:30; neither contained explosives [2].
  • In Poole, the train station was also closed in response to the discovery of a suspicious package. The package was later detonated by Police in a controlled explosion [3]. In Cardiff, the train and bus stations were closed after a security alert [4]. There were bomb scares in Sheffield City Centre, and in Nottingham City Centre, with Market Square being sealed off at 22:00.
  • In Portsmouth the Portsmouth Harbour train station and the nearby Hard bus interchange were closed for a few hours following a hoax bomb threat. Ian Tebbut was subsequently jailed for 6 months [5].
  • The London Underground was closed in the hours following the attacks, and did not re-open until July 8, with a reduced service. The Circle Line, and the Piccadilly Line between Hyde Park Corner and Holloway Road remained closed. Several other lines remain disrupted in the areas effected. Security alerts were also causing disruption.
  • The entire London Bus system was suspended during July 7, with all buses sent back to depot for security checks. Eventually services outwith Zone 1 in Central London returned to operations, and a reduced Zone 1 service operated in the evening of June 7. Services returned to normal on July 8, except through effected areas.
  • All major Network Rail stations in London closed on the morning of July 7, re-opening in late afternoon. King's Cross Station remained closed until July 8. Most national train services terminated outwith London, with GNER trains stopping at Peterborough and Virgin Trains stopping at Watford.
  • The London Ambulance Service reports that they would "only be sending ambulances to patients across the capital with life-threatening illnesses or injuries".[6]
  • The Metropolitan Police Service urged people not to enter London, and to limit their usage of public transport. [7]
  • Schools in the capital did not close on July 7, as police thought it safer for children to remain in classes. On July 8, most schools in Central London were closed due to transport difficulties.
  • In London, security responses saw major buildings such as the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and the US Embassy sealed off. Most landmarks such as the London Eye and Westminster Abbey were closed. All theatre productions in the West End were cancelled, as were several concerts. The Bank of England commenced financial continuity plans, to keep the financial system operational. Security alerts in various parts of the city, often in response to reports of abandoned baggage or other suspicious packages, remain frequent.
  • Outwith London, security at transport links and systems was increased. Several security alerts were reported in Brighton and Edinburgh. At the G8 summit in Gleneagles, armed police patrolled the surrounding villages, and over 1,000 Metropolitan Police officers were re-deployed back to London.
  • On Saturday 9th July 20,000 people were evacuated from the centre of Birmingham while police carried out four controlled explosions [8].

Security responses abroad

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  • The United States Department of Homeland Security raised the threat level for mass transit systems only (not nationwide, as incorrectly assumed by some) from yellow (elevated) to orange (high) [9]. Armed police and explosive-detecting dogs were also deployed in New York on the subway system, and at major rail stations.
  • In European countries, security was also tightened at major transport networks.
  • Transportation security has also been tightened in Canada.
  • In Singapore, where a major presense of British, American and Australian interests are located, security measures were enforced immediately on the public transport system. Armed police officers from the Special Operations Command began patrols in MRT stations, plans for CCTVs to be installed in all trains and buses were mooted, and the public was also updated on the progress of the planned MRT Security Unit of the Singapore Police Force. Security was also stepped up at the then on-going 117th IOC Session.
  • Prime Minister of France Dominique de Villepin announced that France had increased its level of terror alert to red, the second-highest level, in response to the events in London [10], [11].
  • Meanwhile, Berlin transport officials indicated that security alert levels for the public transport system of the German capital had been raised to yellow, the second of four levels [12].
  • Spanish Interior Minister José Antonio Alonso has raised the level of antiterrorist prevention and protection alert to level three, the highest level. This implies the use of all security forces in the country patrolling public transports and others mass confluence sites. For example, militars are patrolling in commuter trains in Madrid [13].
  • In Singapore, where the 2012 Summer Olympic bids has been held a day earlier as part of the 117th IOC Session, security measures for the public transport system were stepped up quickly particularly in light of a high number of foreign delegates still in the city at the time of the attacks in London. Armed policemen began patrolling within MRT stations, as well as at bus terminals. Plans were made to introduce CCTVs to every train and bus, amongst a host of other security measures [14], [15].
  • In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security raised the terror alert level to orange, specifically for mass transit in large cities [16]. In Seattle, to name just one example of a major American city in which security on public transit was increased after the London bombings, Seattle police and King County sheriffs patrolled at each stop in the downtown bus tunnel.
  • In Denmark, at least two controlled explosions were carried out in the week efter the incident. Both incidents turned out to be left luggage. One of these controlled explosions took place on 11 July at Amalienborg Palace, the residence of the Royal Family. Generally, police patrol activity in public transportion areas was increased significantly after the incident.
  • On 11 July it became known that commanders at US airbases in East Anglia had issued orders immediately after the bombings forbidding servicemen from travelling within the M25 motorway until further notice, and strongly discouraged family members not subject to their orders from doing so [17]. The orders were revoked by higher authority on 12 July once they became generally known.

Media response

Broadcasting networks immediately dropped programming to cover the news, though by early afternoon many British networks, including BBC Radio 4, had largely returned to normal programming. Some American networks reported the news in more depth than British networks, notably CNN[18].

BBC Radio 4 pulled its scheduled Classic Serial without explanation; it was to have been John Buchan's Greenmantle, about the revolt of Muslims against British interests abroad. ITV cancelled a broadcast of the film The X Files at midnight on 9 July, which featured an explosion at a U.S government building caused by a bomb. Another film, Stakeout, was shown instead. The following evening, the terrorism-themed action film The Siege, originally scheduled for a 10:15pm broadcast on ITV1, was replaced by Gone in Sixty Seconds. Similarily, in Denmark Blown Away featuring Tommy Lee Jones as a bomber was replaced on national TV station Danmarks Radio by Rain Man. Sky One replaced the advertised episode of their documentary series "Conspiracies" on 10 July. The planned episode was due to focus on the Lockerbie bombing. It was replaced with an episode that focused on the Siege of Waco instead. Meanwhile, the network removed references to terrorism when broadcasting an episode of WWE Smackdown. The episode was taped two days before the attacks.

The bbc.co.uk website recorded an all time bandwidth peak of 11Gb/sec at 12:00 on July 7. BBC News received some 1 billion total hits on the day of the event (including all images, text and HTML), serving some 5.5 terabytes of data [19].

Press photographs of a victim of the attacks, Davinia Turrell, being assisted by former firefighter Paul Dadge, became iconic of the attacks. See Woman in the mask.

R.E.M.'s concert in Hyde Park, scheduled for 9 July, was postponed until 16 July [20].

Opinion and reaction

In The Guardian Tariq Ali [21] and Robert Fisk in The Independent[22], echoing earlier comments by George Galloway in parliament [23], claimed that the Iraq War was the cause of the attacks, though both also ran opinion pages and letters responding that such claims were too oversimplified, and the general mood of the press was that Britain was always a terrorist target and at most the war made Britain a more prominent target.

Richard Littlejohn on July 9th used his column in The Sun to attack politicians in an article titled Hello bombers...and welcome to Londonistan. Littlejohn attacked Ken Livingstone ("throughout his career he has given the impression that he has never met a terrorist he doesn't like") and Cherie Blair ("will [she] extend to him the same sympathy and understanding that she lavishes on Palastinian suicide bombers"), while calling for the Human Rights Act to be scrapped and extremist mosques shut down.

The American Fox News network was criticised for its response to the news[24]. One pundit claimed that the attacks worked to the advantage of conservatives, putting terrorism back on the political agenda at a time when the G8 were discussing climate change and poverty[25]. Washington managing editor, Brit Hume, claimed his first response to the news was that it was "time to buy", referring to the stock market[26]. The network used its coverage of the events to attack "cowardly liberals" and the "anti-American press" in Europe [27], and quipped that "[terrorists would] blow up Paris, and who cares?"[28].

Community responses

See 7 July 2005 London bombings memorials and services

Within hours of the explosions, the website 'We Are Not Afraid' was established, inviting all folk to express their resolution not to be 'afraid, intimidated or cowed by the cowardly act of terrorism.'. The theme was to post a picture of individuals or groups holding a note with the words 'We are not afraid'. While initially intended for Londoners, the site was soon receiving supporting messages world wide.

Speeches and offerings of condolence

United Kingdom

Royal Family

File:Queen bombings visit.jpg
The Queen visits victims of the bombings at the Royal London Hospital
File:Camilla bombings visit.jpg
The Duchess of Cornwall thanking ambulance staff at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington
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  • File:Royal Standard.gif - Queen Elizabeth II issued an official statement, saying "I know I speak for the whole nation in expressing my sympathy to all those affected and the relatives of the killed and injured. I have nothing but admiration for the emergency services as they go about their work." [29] On July 8, the Queen visited the Royal London Hospital, near Liverpool Street, where she visited some of the victims of the attacks, and emergency staff who responded to the attacks. She later made a speech described by the BBC as "unusually forthright", in which she called the bombings an outrage, and said that "those who perpetrate these brutal acts against innocent people should know that they will not change our way of life." [30] On July 10, the Queen again commented on the attacks, during the UK's commemoration services for the 60th anniversary of World War II. The Queen also ordered that the Union Flag on Buckingham Palace fly at half-mast. [31]
  • - The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited St Mary's Hospital in Paddington on July 8. The Prince said "It's been one of the things that many of us have dreaded for a long time and now they have finally got through," and added, "What I can never get over is the incredible resilience of the British people who have set us all a fantastic example of how to react to these kinds of tragedies." The Duchess also commented "It makes me very proud to be British" in response to the efforts of the emergency services.
  • File:Duke of York standard.gif- The Duke of York visited the Transport for London staff and the Metropolitan Police at CentreComm, the London Buses Command and Control Complex in Buckingham Palace Road on July 8. The Duke met staff who co-ordinated the transport network in London following the attacks, and praised Londoners for their reactions, saying "The way that Londoners pulled together yesterday was quite extraordinary."

British Members of Parliament

  • File:Uk flag large.png - The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, was at the G8 summit in Glenagles, Scotland on the morning of the attacks. He described the attacks as “barbaric.” “Our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people in a desire to impose extremism upon the world,” he said. The Prime Minister left the G8 summit in Gleneagles [32] despite Downing Street initially suggesting that reports he would return to London were false [33]. He arrived back in London to consult with emergency services. The summit continued in his absence and he returned to Gleneagles in the evening. [34]
  • File:Uk flag large.png - The leader of the Conservative Party, Michael Howard: "We express our deepest sympathy to the families and friends of those who have lost lives and those who have been injured. We express our thanks and admiration for the heroic work of the emergency services and we fully support the Prime Minister in what he has said about our determination to defend and to protect our way of life" [35]
  • File:Uk flag large.png - The leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, Charles Kennedy: "These bombs have exploded as world leaders meet at Gleneagles. The moral contrast between those who seek to disrupt and destroy and those who are trying to build for the future could not be more stark. The terrorists must not prevail" [36]
  • File:Uk flag large.png - MP George Galloway said that the attacks were linked to Britain's involvement in the war on Iraq. "We argued, as did the security services in this country, that the attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq would increase the threat of terrorist attack in Britain. Tragically Londoners have now paid the price of the government ignoring such warnings." [37] Other MPs refrained from linking Blair's actions in the Middle East with the bombing.

London authorities

The London Memorial Garden set up by the City of Westminster in the Victoria Embankment Park, in remembrance of the victims of the terrorist attacks of 7th July 2005.
  • File:City of London flag.gif - Mayor Ken Livingstone, speaking from Singapore, where he had been promoting the city's Olympic bid, called it a “cowardly attack”. Using the media to speak directly to the bombers, he said "In the days that follow, look at our airports, look at our sea ports and look at our railway stations and, even after your cowardly attack, you will see that people ... will arrive in London to become Londoners and to fulfil their dreams and achieve their potential. They choose to come to London, ... because they come to be free, they come to live the life they choose, they come to be able to be themselves. They flee you because you tell them how they should live. They don't want that and nothing you do, however many of us you kill, will stop that flight to our city where freedom is strong and where people can live in harmony with one another. Whatever you do, however many you kill, you will fail." Full details.
  • File:City of London flag.gif - The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Michael Savory, was also in Singapore, and issued a statement urging Londoners to be defiant, saying, "“I am sure that on Monday at 7.00am the City will be humming as usual to prove that Londoners just get on with it. That’s our best answer to terrorist bullies. I certainly shall by at my desk, opposite the Bank of England, working as I have done for 40 years. Terrorists have not won, cannot win and will not win." [38]

Home nations

  • - Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell issued a statement in behalf of the Scottish Executive saying, "I had planned today (Thursday) to have a conversation with Mayor Ken Livingston to congratulate him on the success for London yesterday in Singapore in winning the Olympic Games for 2012. Instead I have sent a message of condolence on behalf of the people of Scotland to the people of London and the families of those who have been injured or deceased in the terrorist atrocities that were seen in different locations in central London today." [39]
  • File:Wales flag large.png - Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan issued a statement on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales, saying, "The whole of Wales will feel nothing but revulsion at these savage acts of terrorism targeted at commuters during London’s busy rush hour. On behalf of the people of Wales, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the relatives of those killed and injured in this morning’s attacks."
  • File:Northern Ireland flag.gif - The 4 major political parties in Northern Ireland condemned the attacks. William McCrea spoke on behalf of the Democratic Unionist Party, saying, "sympathise with those who have been bereaved as a result of this terrible atrocity and our thoughts are with the many families who have been so cruelly robbed of their loved ones." The DUP also used their statement to attack Sinn Fein and the IRA, whom they accused of "planting more bombs in London than anyone else" [40].
  • The Republican Sinn Fein also condemned the attacks, with the Mayor of Moyle District Council, saying "On behalf of Sinn Féin I offer my sincere condolences to the victims and the families of those killed and injured and to the people of London". [41]

Multinational Bodies

Prime Minister Tony Blair, flanked by the G8 leaders, reads a statement on their behalf condeming the attacks in London
  • File:Commonwealth-Flag.png - Commonwealth of Nations Secretary-General Don McKinnon issued a statement saying, "All of us throughout the Commonwealth family are shocked by these barbaric and cowardly attacks. Our thoughts go to all the victims and their families and friends. Terrorism cannot be allowed to succeed. The Commonwealth has spoken out loudly and clearly against this scourge. The killing and maiming of innocent men, women and children is unjustifiable." [43]
  • G8 leaders prepared a statement, read on behalf of them all by Tony Blair, condemning the attacks as "an attack on civilised peoples everywhere", and saying that the G8 summit would proceed. [44]
  • The Gulf Co-operation Council "condemns the terrorist attacks which hit the British capital in several locations this morning".
  • File:Flag of NATO.jpg - At NATO HQ in Brussels, the North Atlantic Council met for an extraordinary session, and issued a statement saying "The Council condemned in the strongest possible terms terrorism in all its forms. NATO Allies reaffirmed their determination to combat this scourge, and to defend with all means at their disposal the Alliance’s values of freedom, tolerance and democracy" [45]
  • - United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan described the bombings as "an attack on humanity itself", and joined other world leaders in condemning the attacks. He said that he was personally "devastated" by the events. [47]
  • - The United Nations Security Council condemned "without reservation" the terror attacks and urged nations to prosecute perpetrators of such "barbaric acts." In a resolution adopted by a 15-0 vote in an emergency meeting, the council expressed condolences to the victims of the bomb blasts. [48]

Heads of Government

Americas

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File:Bush response bombings.jpg
U.S. President George W. Bush gives his response to the attacks at the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland.
  •  Argentina - President Néstor Kirchner sent a press release that stated "We're convinced that the respect to life is the pillar of the democratic coexistance, and manifest our total condemn of any kind of terrorist act, such as the one suffered by the British citizenship, and hope for the people responsible to be aprehended and submitted to justice. The Argentine people feels deeply identified with the victims and their relatives, to whom we would like to express our deepest sentiments of consternation and solidarity."
  •  Brazil - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said that "Brazil expresses its harshest condemnation of this most recent, deplorable terrorist act" and voiced "solidarity with the suffering of the victims' families."
  •  Canada - Prime Minister Paul Martin offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the bombings also calling the bombings "an unspeakable attack on the innocent and on a way of life," as well as "our collective freedom has come under attack by those who would use violence and murder to force extremism on the world." [49] Martin has also requested Canadian flags on all federal buildings be lowered to half-staff. [50]
  •  Cuba- President Fidel Castro wrote, in a letter to the Queen, "I can assure you that the Cuban people, who have been a victim of terrorism for more than four decades, share your grief and condemn this unjustifiable attack on the British people". [52]
  • File:Falkland islands flag large.png- Falkland Islands - Governor Howard Pearce sent a message of condolence to Queen Elizabeth II, saying, "The people of the Falkland Islands are deeply shocked and outraged by the appalling attacks which took place in London earlier today. On behalf of all Falkland Islanders, I convey our sympathy to those who have suffered injury or trauma as a result of these events and our deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives. While we may be many thousands of miles away in distance, we feel very close to all Londoners in spirit, and we know that they will respond with courage and fortitude."
  •  Mexico - A spokesman for President Vicente Fox said that "on behalf of the people of Mexico, the president would like to express his solidarity and support to the people and government of the United Kingdom, terrorism and violence against civilian population have no possible justification, President Vicente Fox has already given his condolences to Prime Minister Blair."
  •  United States - President George W. Bush spoke at the 31st G8 summit in Scotland, saying "I spent some time recently with the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and had an opportunity to express our heartfelt condolences to the people of London, people who lost lives. I appreciate Prime Minister Blair's steadfast determination and his strength. He's on his way now to London here from the G8 to speak directly to the people of London. He'll carry a message of solidarity with him." [54]

Europe

  •  Cyprus - President Tassos Papadopoulos stressed, that "the Government and the people of Cyprus strongly condemn such horrendous acts of terror and stand in full solidarity with the British people and the rest of the international community in the fight against terrorism of all kinds" [55]
  •  Czech Republic - President Vaclav Klaus wrote in a statement for the Queen: "We are jointly facing those who would like to destroy the values upon which our civilisation rests by their coward inhuman acts." "Along with you, we are determined not to yield to the forces which are seeking to destroy everything in which we believe through violence," Klaus wrote in the letter, in which he voiced his deepest sympathies. [56]
  •  Denmark - Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has stated: "Again we're witnessing scruples' and barbaric attacks against completely innocent people – civilians, women and children... Terrorists use fear and terror as political pressure. We can't - and will not allow that. We shall never give in to terrorists." - Later he sent an official condolence letter to Tony Blair. [57]
  •  Finland - President Tarja Halonen expressed condolences in a letter to the Queen. In it she said "It is with profound sadness that we in Finland have received the news of the fatal bomb explosions in London, in which precious human lives were lost and many seriously injured." Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja also expressed condolences, stating: "I vehemently condemn these shocking and cruel acts."
  •  France - Jacques Chirac, describing the attackers as “savages” said that “these attacks have without any doubt reinforced the solidarity between the eight [heads of government]” at the G8 summit [58], adding that the attacks would also strengthen the fight against terrorrism.
  • Gibraltar - Chief Minister Peter Caruana, send a message of condolence to the Queen, saying "Please accept the sympathy and solidarity of the people and Government of Gibraltar in the face of these cowardly and wicked attacks on London and its people. Please accept our condolences on the loss of life."
  •  Greece - Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis stated "On the part of the government and the Greek people, I would like to express my deepest condolences" and added "Our thoughts are with the families of the victims."
  •  Iceland - Iceland’s president, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, says that terrorist attacks have paralyzed the city. “The British nation has shown great courage and is resolved to deny the terrorists success in their attack on the open and free society.” [61]
  •  Iceland - Prime Minister Halldór Ásgrímsson says it is our duty to stand together in the fight against the forces that organize attacks such as the one that occurred in London today. He says that counter-terrorist preparations and surveillance will increase in Europe in the wake of the attacks, including Iceland.
  •  Netherlands - Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende stated: "Continuous intensive attention is required in the war against terrorism. Terrorism is an evil that can hit each European country. Cooperation in the EU and worldwide is crucial to counter this evil."
  •  Norway - Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has stated "On behalf of the Norwegian Government, I wish to express my deepest condolences and sympathy. My thoughts are with all those who were injured and the bereaved families, and with the people of the United Kingdom. We are mourning with you in this time of grief." [62]
  •  Portugal - Prime Minister José Sócrates says, in a statement made from the national Parliament, "The terrorist threat is global and demands for a global response. If any doubt would existed about the priorities of Europe, this dramatic attack obligies all the 25 European Union states to stay together in this fight."
  •  Russia - President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences over the attacks and has called on all countries to unite in the fight against international terrorism.
  •  Spain - Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has stated "I want to express the condolences of the Government and the Spanish people to relatives of the victims of this horrible attacks. I absolutely share the sentiments stated by my colleague Tony Blair. Moral strength of democracy is far superior than such vile and cowardly methods of terrorism."
  •  Sweden - Prime Minister Göran Persson stated: "It's is an attack on our open society. It's an attack on a democracy that's hosting a meeting to discuss such difficult issues as the climate change and the poverty of Africa. In this situation it's important that we hold together, that we're steady in the fight against terror and that we give all the support that we can give to British authorities but also to the people who has been affected, and we of course also express our sympathy with the British people and all the single people who today have recieved messages that near and dear have been affected by serious injuries or death. [...] The same icy feeling as after 9/11, the same definite opinion: this is not something that we'll give away for. If this will become the future norm for how to decide the political agenda, then we'll live in a whole other Europe, a whole other world, and that's something none of us wishes. Now we defend the open society."

Middle East

  •  Israel - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said "In these moments, Israel entirely expresses its solidarity with the people of Britain, aching with their pain, and sending condolences to the families of the dead and wishes of fast recovery to the wounded."
  •  Lebanon - President Emile Lahoud said that "Lebanon, which has been the victim of violence for years, shares with the British their pain."
  •  Turkey - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that "we have always stressed that the fight against terror is something we all have to join into together. I believe especially that our mutual intelligence organizations need to pool their information and knowledge to be better able to support one another against attacks of this kind." [63]

Asia

  •  China - Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao has said that "China is shocked" by this tragedy and "strongly condemns" any terrorist attacks targeted at civilians.
  •  India - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh speaking at the G8 summit in Scotland said, "Just a couple of days back, India faced a major terrorist attack and these incidents show that global terrorism does not recognise internatoinal boundaries and we all need to work together to counter it."
  •  Indonesia - Foreign Ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa has said, "We're shocked to hear the bombing attacks. We condemned them," He also expressed condolences to the victims and their relatives, and pray for the wounded for their early recovery. [64] [65]
  •  Japan - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has said, "This terrorist action will never be forgiven, but remembered with great indignation. I offer Mr. Blair my full support to his response, and will gladly cooperate in any way possible."
  •  Malaysia - Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said all Malaysians were saddened and distressed over the bomb attacks in London. He said every Malaysian hates violence and condemns it because violence is not the solution. He stated "I believe all countries and races condemn what had happened in London although we do not know yet who is responsible for the bombing."
  •  Pakistan - Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said "We offer our heartfelt sympathies to those who suffered due to such acts."
  •  Singapore - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong condemned the terrorist attacks in London and expressed Singapore's sympathy to the victims of the attacks and their families, and to the British people and government.

Africa

  •  Morocco - Communication Minister Nabil Benabdallah gave a statement on behalf of the Moroccon government, saying that "these heinous attacks underline the need for the international community to...unite its efforts to fight these acts and abort their objectives."
  •  South Africa - President Thabo Mbeki has condemned the series of explosions on London's transport system: "As South Africa, we join the rest of the international community in condemning any acts of terrorism"

Oceania

  •  Australia - Prime Minister John Howard, in a live-to-air broadcast, expressed his "horror and disgust at this cowardly attack on innocent people." Mr Howard also stated that "It's important that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our British allies at a time such as this" and that "these types of attacks will not alter the determination of free countries to do the right thing." Recognising an Australian connexion to the British capital, Mr. Howard said "Australians will feel very deeply about this because London is the city, above all others outside our own country, we know and identify with." [66] A small contingent of experts from the Australian Federal Police was dispatched to London to assist British authorities.

Other National Officials

  •  Canada - Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan said,"Acts of terrorism are completely without conscience...terrorism is a scourge on our civilization. Those who commit the acts do not care whom they kill or how much damage they inflict on those who are truly innocent.".
  •  Canada - Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper said,"We should not be under any illusion that we couldn't just as easily be a target, and certainly, obviously, we could be a basis from which terror could be launched," and "those who oppose the war in Iraq also oppose the war in Afghanistan, and Canada is very involved in that."
  •  Canada - New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton felt,"repulsed by the violence we have witnessed today in London...we will not allow it to undermine Canadian society, our institutions or our beliefs in democracy, human rights, tolerance, and equality. Indeed, we must go forward today with greater determination to build a world that embraces these ideals."
  •  France - French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin called the attack "a tragedy for Great Britain" and "a tragedy for Europe as a whole which had already been hit in Madrid in March 2004." In a letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair, De Villepin also offered "immediate, full and total collaboration of French services in helping you identify the authors of these crimes."
  •  United States - Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has said: "Before long, I suspect that those responsible for these acts will encounter British steel. Their kind of steel has an uncommon strength. It does not bend or break. The British have learned from history that this kind of evil must be confronted. It cannot be appeased. Our two countries understand well that once a people give in to terrorists’ demands, whatever they are, their demands will grow. The British people are determined and resolute. And I know the people of the United States are proud to stand at their side."[68]
  •  United States - Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean stated, "I join all Americans today in offering my condolences to the victims of today's vicious terrorist attacks in London. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their friends and their families. We remain steadfast in our commitment to defeating those who threaten our freedom and values. At a time when world leaders were working together to help make our world a better place, these terrorists were plotting to disrupt that effort by killing and injuring innocent people. We will continue to stand with our allies around the world to defeat terrorism and protect our liberty and freedom."
  •  Australia - Australian Labor Party leader Kim Beazley said the terrorists were "sub-human filth who must be captured and eliminated." He also stated: "The evil that they stand for must be confronted and they need to know that nothing they can do changes our values and nothing they do eliminates our resolve to deal with them."

Religious leaders

Muslim respons

  • The Kingdom’s grand mufti yesterday strongly denounced the deadly blasts that rocked London, saying Islam strictly prohibits the killing of innocent people. He also censured the terrorists for tarnishing the image of Islam by attaching their heinous crimes to the religion.(ref )
  • The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, spoke of his horror and grief. Amid widespread speculation that the bombings were the work of Islamic extremists, he said that, as it happened, he had "spent this morning with Muslim colleagues and friends in West Yorkshire; and we were all as one in our condemnation of this evil and in our shared sense of care and compassion for those affected in whatever way. Such solidarity and common purpose is vital for us all at this time of pain and sorrow and anger." [69] On Friday he gave the "Thought for the Day" on BBC radio 4 in which he spoke of the difference between shocked silence and calmness. [70]
  • The Muslim Council of Britain said that it "utterly condemns" the "indiscriminate acts of terror." [71]
  • The Anglican Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, issued a statement early on Thursday saying "The attack on London is not an attack on Presidents and men of power but an attack on ordinary Londoners travelling to work by bus and tube...On Wednesday evening St Paul’s Cathedral was packed with Londoners come to listen to the Secretary General of the UN and the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what can be done to tackle poverty in the world. The atmosphere was electric and the determination to do something practical to help was obvious. That is the real agenda in today’s world. By contrast this act of violence is a cruel irrelevance." [72]
  • The Australian Muslim Civil Rights Advocacy Network have issued a public statement condemning the attacks, offering their condolences to the British people, and pledging their support in bringing the terrorists to justice. [73]
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the attacks, stating "We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be justified or excused. American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured in today's attacks and call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators."[74]
  • General of The Salvation Army John Larsson sent out mobile relief teams and said to continue to pray for the people of London.
  • The Islamic Circle of North America released a statement saying, "The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) is shocked and horrified at the several attacks on the people of London during the rush hour mass transit. We join everyone in condemning such acts of terror and senseless violence. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones at this tragic moment. We trust that the authorities will determine those responsible for these barbaric acts and bring them to justice quickly." [75]
  • Leading Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim scholar Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah stated, "These crimes are not accepted by any religion. It is a barbarism wholly rejected by Islam."
  •  Vatican City Pope Benedict XVI has called the attacks "inhuman" and "barbaric acts against humanity."

Other

References

  1. ^ Titley, S., 2005-07-09. "CNN is rubbish." The Liberal Dissenter.
  2. ^ Ali, T., 2005-07-08. "The price of occupation." The Guardian.
  3. ^ Fisk, R., 2005-07-08. "The reality of this barbaric bombing." The Independent.
  4. ^ Davies, B., 2005-07-08. "I was right to blame Blair, says Galloway." BBC News
  5. ^ Littlejohn, R., 2005-07-09. "Hello bombers...and welcome to Londonistan." The Sun.
  6. ^ Borger, J., 2005-07-09. "Fox News slammed over 'callous' line." The Guardian.
  7. ^ Media Matters, 2005-07-07. "Fox News' Brian Kilmeade: London terror attack near G8 summit 'works to ... Western world's advantage, for people to experience something like this together'."
  8. ^ Media Matters, 2005-07-07. "Hume's 'first thought' on hearing of London attacks: It's 'time to buy' futures."
  9. ^ Media Matters, 2005-07-11. "In response to London attacks, conservatives direct outrage against ... U.S. liberals, "cowardly" Europeans and the 'anti-American press'."
  10. ^ Media Matters, 2005-07-08. "Fox's Gibson on 'golden opportunity" missed: If France had been selected for 2012 Olympics, terrorists would "blow up Paris, and who cares?'."
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