GLENEAGLES: The world's most powerful leaders united on Thursday to condemn the wave of bombings in London, saying they would not bow to terrorists — but the attacks clearly sidetracked the ambitious G-8 summit agenda for easing poverty in Africa and tackling climate change.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, summit host, insisted talks would continue despite what he described as ``barbaric attacks.'' Nevertheless, he left the Gleneagles resort by helicopter for London to be briefed by police chiefs and government officials — and eagerly awaited declarations on climate change and the global economy were postponed until Friday.

The leaders, in a show of solidarity, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Mr. Blair as he read a joint statement from the G-8 summit. They were joined by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, European Commission President Jose-Manuel Barroso and the leaders of Mexico, India, China, South Africa and Brazil.

``The terrorists will not succeed,'' Mr. Blair said. ``Today's bombings will not weaken in any way our resolve to uphold the most deeply held principles of our societies and to defeat those who would impose their fanaticism and extremism on all of us. We shall prevail, and they shall not.''

"The battle must go on"

U.S. President George W. Bush said ``the war on terror goes on.'' German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder condemned the ``perfidious attacks,'' and stressed the importance of fighting terrorism ``with all the means at our disposal.'' French President Jacques Chirac said ``the great nations of the world'' must unite to fight terrorism.

``All of our countries have suffered from the impact of terrorism,'' a G-8 statement said. ``Those responsible have no respect for human life. We are united in our resolve to confront and defeat this terrorism that is not an attack on one nation but on all nations and on civilised people everywhere.''

Mr. Blair said earlier that it was ``reasonably clear'' that the attacks were ``designed and aimed to coincide'' with the G-8 meeting. ``It is particularly barbaric that this has happened on a day when people are meeting to Jack Straw chairing the talks in Mr. Blair's absence, British officials said.

``We will not allow violence to change our societies or our values, nor will we allow it to stop the work of this summit. We will continue our deliberations in the interests of a better world. Here at this summit, the leaders are striving to combat poverty and improve human life. The perpetrators of today's attacks are intent on destroying human life,'' Mr. Blair said. — AP

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |