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The world community strongly condemned the two powerful explosions in India's commercial capital of Bombay, which left at least 45 people dead and more than 100 others injured Monday.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan described the blasts as "despicable acts of terrorism" and said he "is adamantly opposed to all acts of terrorism, from whatever quarter," a UN spokesperson said in a statement.
"The secretary-general conveys his heartfelt condolences to the government of India and the bereaved families of the victims of these despicable acts of terrorism," it added.
The United Nations itself was still recovering from the massive bomb attack on its office in Baghdad last week, which killed 23 people, including top UN envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello.
The European Union's security chief Javier Solana issued a statement Monday, strongly condemning the bomb attacks.
"I am shocked by and strongly condemn today's terror attacks against innocent civilians in Bombay. There can be no justification for such acts," Solana said.
He hoped that those responsible for the attacks would be brought to justice as soon as possible.
US President George W. Bush also issued a statement to condemn the blasts. "On behalf of all Americans, I send condolences to all affected by today's tragedy and to the government and people of India," Bush said in a statement released by the White House from Crawford, Texas, where the US president in vacationing.
"Acts of terror are intended to sow fear and chaos among free peoples," he said. "I hope that the perpetrators of these murders will be identified quickly and brought to justice."
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Colin Powell called his Indian counterpart, Yaswant Sinha, on Monday to condemn "the senseless and cowardly terrorist attacks."
"The secretary expressed our outrage at these attacks and our condolences to the Indian government and to the Indian people, particularly to the families of the victims and to those injured," State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said.
Russia denounced the bomb attacks and compared the blasts with suicide bombings by Chechen separatists. "Russia resolutely condemns the terrorist acts in Bombay and is confident that those who organized and carried them out will be tracked down and severely punished," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The techniques used by the bombers were "similar" to those used in Mozdok and Baghdad, the statement said.
At least 50 were killed on Aug. 2, in a suicide bombing at a military hospital in the southern Russian city of Mozdok, North Ossetia, a neighboring republic of restive Chechnya.
Two taxi cars packed with explosives went off separately on Monday in the vicinity of Mumbadevi, near the crowded Zaweri bazaar and the Gateway of India, Bombay.
Indian police said the explosions were suspected to be the handiwork of terrorists, but so far no one has claimed responsibility for the blasts.
Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee strongly condemned two blasts Monday evening, said the Press Trust of India (PTI). Voicing shock at the loss of innocent lives, Vajpayee conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who had lost their loved ones.
Germany condemned the deadly car bombings on Monday and offered its condolences to the Indian people.
"This criminal attack fills us with horror," Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said in a message to his Indian counterpart Yashwant Sinha.
"We share the Indian people's shock and sadness. Our thoughts in these difficult hours are above all with those who lost family members and friends," Fischer said.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw also denounced the bombing attacks, and called on the international community to take firm action to deal with the "poison of international terrorism."
"I condemn the appalling attacks which have taken place in Bombay today. My thoughts and sympathies go out to the families and friends of those killed and injured," Straw said. "This emphasizes yet again the importance of the international community taking firm action to deal with the poison of international terrorism."
The government of Singapore was shocked and saddened by the explosions in Bombay, said Singapore's Foreign Ministry on Monday.
The ministry said in a press release that Singapore strongly condemns such acts of violence and terror.
"We extend our condolences to the Government of India and to the families of those who were killed or injured in the attacks," it said.
Pakistan, a neighbor of India, also condemns the blasts. At a weekly press briefing, Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman MasoodKhan said: "We deplore these attacks and sympathize with the victims and their families."
"Civilians have been targeted, we condemn all acts of terrorism," he said, adding "such wanton targeting of civilians should be condemned in the strongest possible terms."
(Xinhua News Agency August 26, 2003)
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