DOUBLE STANDARDS
Israel’s killing of
Sheikh Yassin,
The founder and spiritual
Leader of terrorist organization
Hamas – 2004
Kofi Annan, UN secretary general: “I do condemn the targeted assassination of
Ahmed Yassin and the others who died with him. Such actions are not only contrary to international law but they do not help the search for a peaceful solution.”
“The EU recognizes Israel’s right to protect its citizens against terrorist attacks. Israel is entitled to do this under international law. Israel is not, however, entitled to carry out extra-judicial execution as contrary to international law.”
Spokesman for French Foreign Ministry Herve Ladsous “France condemns the action taken against
Sheikh Yassin, just as it has always condemned the principle of any extra-judicial execution as contrary to international law.”
The Holy See unites with the international community in deploring this act of violence that cannot be justified in any state of law. Lasting peace cannot come from a show of force.”
America’s Killing of
Osama bin Laden,
Leader of terrorist organization
Al Qaida – 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed Osama bin Laden’s death as a key turning point in the world’s struggle against terrorism.
The President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek said, “We have woken up in a more secure world.”
EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said: “I would like to congratulate the US, pay tribute to its determination and efficiency in reducing the threat posed by terrorists and underline the close cooperation between the EU and US in the fight against terrorism.”
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on state radio that bin Laden’s death is a “victory for all democracies fighting the abominable scourge of terrorism.”
Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi said that while Christians “do not rejoice” over a death, bin Laden’s death serves to remind them of “each person’s responsibility before God and men”, expressing hope that bin Laden’s death “would not be an occasion for more hate, but for peace.”
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda: “We are strongly concerned that the assassination of Mr. Yassin will lead to a continuing chain of hate and violence, greatly affecting the peace process in the Middle East,” he said. “We condemn this act on the part of Israel.”
Malaysia has strongly condemned the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin: “the extra judicial killing of political leaders was against international law.”
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar meanwhile said the action was a manifestation of terrorism.
Jack Straw, then British Foreign Secretary, said: “But (Israel) is not entitled to go in for this kind of unlawful killing and we condemn it. It is unacceptable, it is unjustified and it is very unlikely to achieve its objectives.”
Russia on Friday expressed its regret over the US veto of a UN Security Council resolution denouncing Israel’s assassination of Hamas spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin
Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto said today that the country welcomed the death of Osama bin Laden as “significant progress of counter-terrorism measures”.
Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein says he hopes that the death of bin Laden would help bring universal peace and harmony.
The death of Al Qaeda’s leader Osama bin Laden is “important and positive to relax tensions at a time in which the Arab world is calling for more freedom of expression,” Brazailian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota said Monday.
“Russia was among the first countries to face the dangers inherent in global terrorism, and unfortunately knows that Qaeda is not from hearsay,” the Kremlin said. “Retribution will inevitably reach all terrorists.”
