Pakistan condemns Israeli attack on aid ships

ISLAMABAD, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has strongly condemned the attack of Israeli Defense Forces on a peaceful flotilla, resulting in loss of innocent lives and injuries to many, PM office said Monday.

Meanwhile Pakistan's Foreign Ministry also strongly condemned the use of brazen force by Israel against the humanitarian mission that was embarked on delivering humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza.

"The killing of members of this humanitarian mission, which also included women, is brutal, inhuman and constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and norms," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

The statement said Pakistan is seriously concerned over the well-being and whereabouts of the Pakistani citizens and journalists including senior TV anchors Syed Talat Hussain and Raza Mahmood Agha who were onboard the flotilla of aid ships bound for Gaza.

The Foreign Ministry is in constant touch with its missions in the region to ascertain the well-being of Pakistani nationals, it said.

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Jordanians protest Israeli raid on Gaza-bound flotilla

AMMAN, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Jordanians took to the streets in Amman on Monday, protesting the Israeli raid on a flotilla of aid ships bound for Gaza Strip.

During a march from the Jordanian professional associations' headquarters to the Prime Ministry, the demonstrators chanted slogans against Israel, calling for closing the Israeli embassy in Amman.

The demonstrators urged the government to expel the Israeli ambassador in Amman and annul the Wadi Arabia peace treaty Jordan and Israel signed in 1994.

Holding Jordanian and Palestinian flags, the participants, who included members of the Islamic Action Front and trade union activists as well as representatives of political parties, called lifting the Israeli siege on Gaza Strip.

"We condemn the terrorist operation and call on the government to shoulder its responsibilities in protecting the Jordanians on board of the flotilla," the professional associations said in a statement of which a copy was obtained by Xinhua.

According to the professional associations, there are 23 Jordanians on board of the aid-carrying ships.

The raid by the Israeli commandoes on the aid-carrying ships bound for Gaza at Monday dawn lead to the death of 19 people on board of the ships, according to Israel's Channel 10 television.

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French president condemns Israeli attack against humanitarian flotilla

PARIS, May 31 (Xinhua) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday condemned Israel's attack against an international flotilla to Gaza, a statement issued by his office said.

"The President of the Republic expressed his profound emotion to the tragic consequence of Israel's military operation against the 'peace flottia' destination to Gaze," the statement said.

"He condemns the disproportionate use of military force and sends his condolences to victims' families," the statement added.

Like Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, the president's office also called thorough investigation into the attack and urged re-launch of peace process in the region.

Kouchner said earlier in the morning that "nothing can justify the use of such a violence that we condemn," and said he was shocked to know the news.

Israeli forces on Monday attacked an international flotilla carrying aid to besieged Gaza on international waters, killing up to 19 and wounding more than 30 others, an Israeli television reported. One of the ships had not arrived and two others had been damaged.

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Egyptian president condemns Israeli attack on aid ships

CAIRO, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak condemned Israel's excessive use of force against a flotilla of aid ships heading for Gaza, a statement from the presidential palace said Monday.

The president insists on Egyptians' solidarity with the people in Gaza and that the inter-Palestinian reconciliation is the only way to lift the blockade and end the humanitarian sufferings in Gaza, the statement said.

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U.S. "deeply regrets" casualties in Israeli raid on Gaza aid flotilla

WASHINGTON, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The United States "deeply regrets" the loss of life and injuries in an Israeli raid on a flotilla of aid boats to the Gaza Strip, the White House said Monday.

Israeli forces on Monday attacked the aid ships when trying to stop the flotilla from reaching Gaza, killing up to 20 and wounding more than 30 others.

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Turkish president strongly condemns Israeli raid on Gaza aid ships

0:52

Thousands of demonstrators protest againstan attack by Israeli forces on the international Gaza aid flotilla that has killed 20 people, including Turkish activists,in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, May 31, 2010.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

ANKARA, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Abdullah Gul strongly condemned Monday Israel's raid on an international convoy of six ships carrying activists and humanitarian aids to Gaza.

Gul said in a statement "I strongly condemn Israeli navy used force against an aid convoy with members of non-governmental organizations from 32 countries."

"The international community should not remain indifferent in the face of this attack in the international waters, some 69 nautical miles (127.8 km) from Israeli territorial waters which targeted civilians. It was a violation of the international laws," he said.

"It is impossible to ignore the lives of defenseless civilians who were trying to take humanitarian aid to Gazan people. Israel isolates its people with such policies. I wish that Israeli politicians will put an end to this situation," he said.

"Actually, Gazan blockade is not a matter between Turkey and Israel, but an international matter. It is a serious tragedy. We expect Israel to lift this inhuman blockade immediately," he said.

President Gul said that all necessary initiatives were launched to protect rights and interests of Turkish citizens in the convoy.

"Turkey requests starting each kind of investigation into the incident. We also request Israel to bring those who are responsible to justice," he added.

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Pan-Islamic body condemns Israeli attack on Gaza aid flotilla

RIYADH, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) strongly condemned an Israeli attack against an international aid fleet Gaza Freedom Flotilla, that has killed 20 activists.

"This crime is a serious escalation and a flagrant violation of the international law and human values," OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said in a statement.

The chief of the pan-Islamic body also held Israel responsible for the safety of the activists and offered condolences to the families of the victims.

Ihsanoglu also reiterated a call for ending the blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip for over four years.

The statement said Ihsanoglu called upon the Arab and Islamic group in the United Nations to call urgent meetings at the UN Security Council and Human Rights Council to examine "this heinous crime."

The secretary-general of the Jeddah-based body also said he would hold contacts with international sides to push for an investigation into the Israeli attack and "punish the Israeli officials over the crimes they commit against humanity."

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Germany "shocked" by Israeli attack on Gaza aid flotilla

An Israeli naval vessel patrols near the port of Ashdod, Israel, May 31, 2010. Clash happened on Monday morning between an international Gaza aid flotilla and Israeli navy, causing at least 19 casualties, Israeli military confirmed. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BERLIN, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The German government on Monday expressed shock at Israel's attack on an international flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to besieged Gaza and deeply regret the loss of human life in the attack.

According to German government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle had telephoned his Israeli colleague Avigdor Lieberman and requested a comprehensive investigation, including demanding a quick clarification of the fate of five German nationals who are believed to be on board.

German news channel N-TV reported that the five Germans include Inge Hoeger and Annette Groth, both members of parliament of the German Left Party.

Israeli forces on Monday attacked an international flotilla carrying aid to besieged Gaza, killing up to 19 and wounding more than 30 others, Israeli media reported.

The clash happened after Isreali soldiers tried to stop the flotilla from reaching Gaza. Israel's private Channel 10 television said Israeli forces opened fire after being attacked by a number of passengers.

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GERMAN PRESIDENT SAYS HE IS TO STEP DOWN: REPORT GERMAN PRESIDENT SAYS HE IS TO STEP DOWN: REPORT

German president Horst Koehler resigns

Germany's president Horst Koehler says he is stepping down with immediate effect, in a surprise move after criticism of recent comments he made about the country's mission in Afghanistan.

"I am resigning my post as federal president with immediate effect," Koehler, 67, whose job is largely ceremonial, said on Monday in Berlin.

"It was an honour for me to serve Germany as president," a visibly emotional Koehler told reporters with his wife at his side.

He said he had already informed Chancellor Angela Merkel of his decision.

"I thank the many people in Germany who have put their trust in me and supported my work. I ask for you to understand my decision."

Koehler came under fire for saying that an export-reliant country like Germany occasionally needed to defend its economic interests by preventing regional instabilities like that in Afghanistan.

Such regional instabilities "certainly have a negative impact on us through trade, jobs and income", Koehler told German radio on May 22.

A former managing director of the International Monetary Fund, the popular Koehler was elected to the post of president in 2004 and re-elected in 2009.

Polls show that a majority of Germans are opposed to the mission in Afghanistan.

Koehler said his comments were "misunderstood" and that his remarks were not meant to refer to the mission in Afghanistan, where Germany has 4500 troops in a NATO-led force tackling a Taliban-led insurgency.

Berlin wants to begin bringing its soldiers home in 2011, an aim shared by Washington, but has not fixed a date for withdrawal.

Under the constitution, the president of Germany's upper house, the Bundesrat, currently Jens Boehrnsen from the opposition Social Democrats, takes over Koehler's duties provisionally.

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Dimite el presidente de Alemania tras sus polémicos comentarios sobre el uso del ejército en Afganistán

Horst Köhler ha comunicado su renuncia esta mañana en Berlín

31/05/2010

El presidente de Alemania, Horst Köhler, ha comunicado su dimisión esta mañana en Berlín, tras las críticas recibidas por sus comentarios sobre el despliegue del ejército alemán (Bundeswehr) en Afganistán. "Comunico mi dimisión del cargo de Presidente", ha señalado Köhler, esta mañana en Berlín. La polémica comenzó cuando el Presidente señaló el pasado 22 de mayo, durante una visita a las tropas en Afganistán, que un país como Alemania, con grandes intereses en el comercio exterior, debe saber que las intervenciones militares son necesarias para mantener sus intereses comerciales. Entre lágrimas y con la voz entrecortada, Köhler ha leído su dimisón acompañado por su mujer en su residencia oficial y la ha presentado ante las principales autoridades nacionales.

Horst Köhler

A FONDO

Nacimiento:

22-02-1943

Lugar:

Skierbieszow

Alemania

A FONDO

Capital:

Berlín.

Gobierno:

República Federal.

Población:

82,369,552 (est. 2008)

La palabras de Köhler desataron la controversia al sugerir que el despliegue de las topas de la Bundeswehr (ejército alemán) en la guerra de Afganistán estaba motivada por intereses comerciales, en vez de por razones de seguridad nacional. Durante su visita al país asiático, Köhler dio a entender que el debate público esta asumiendo paulatinamente que proteger el comercio nacional era un motivo legítimo para iniciar una acción militar. La oposición criticó duramente la opinión del Presidente y le recrimnó el daño que podía haber causado a la imagen de la misión de la OTAN en Afganistán.

Durante una entrevista con la radio Deutschlandradio, Köhler comenzó su intervención señalando que Alemania se encontraba en Afganistán junto a sus aliados para asegurar su seguridad y que sería bueno abrir el debato sobre estas cuestiones. Luego añadió: "Pero considero que, en general, vamos camino de comprender, incluso de manera amplia entre la sociedad, que un país de nuestro tamaño, con su orientación hacia el comercio exterior y por lo tanto también dependiente del comercio exterior, tiene que ser consciente de que cuando peligren debido a una emergencia, el despliegue militar es también necesario para proteger nuestros intereses".

"Por ejemplo, con la libertad de las rutas comerciales, o para impedir la inestabilidad en toda una region, lo que tiene un impacto negative en nuestras oportunidades comerciales, empleos e ingresos. Todo esto debería discutirse y creo que no lo estamos hacienda demasiado mal", añadió el dignatario alemán.

Köhler ha presentado su renuncia a la canciller, Angela Merkel, al vicecanciller, Guido Westerwelle y al presidente del Tribunal Constitucional, Andreas Voßkuhle. El Presidente ha hecho pública su decisión desde su residencia oficial, junto a su esposa Eva Luise, mientras se le saltaban las lágrimas y con la voz entrecortada.

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