INDONESIA: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned the killing of civilians in a hostage crisis in Algeria, saying the deaths are 'unforgivable' and promises to fight 'terrorist acts'
Record ID:
574149
INDONESIA: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned the killing of civilians in a hostage crisis in Algeria, saying the deaths are 'unforgivable' and promises to fight 'terrorist acts'
- Title: INDONESIA: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned the killing of civilians in a hostage crisis in Algeria, saying the deaths are 'unforgivable' and promises to fight 'terrorist acts'
- Date: 18th January 2013
- Summary: JAKARTA, INDONESIA (JANUARY 18, 2013) (REUTERS) INDONESIA PRESIDENT SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO AND JAPAN'S PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE WALKING UP TO PODIUM AHEAD OF NEWS CONFERENCE ABE AT PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPAN PRIME MINISTER, SHINZO ABE, SAYING: "We discussed the Algerian hostage crisis. The President (Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) and I completely agreed that these atrocious acts which claimed many victims are absolutely unforgivable. And we both absolutely agreed to fight together terrorist acts." JAPAN DELEGATIONS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPAN PRIME MINISTER, SHINZO ABE, SAYING: "We must absolutely not forgive any act that takes a life of the innocent and at the same time the hostages' lives have to be given absolute priority. Since the incident, our government has kept in touch with other nations and coordinated closely to gather information. We have demanded that the Algerian government prioritise the safety of the hostages. Even while on this trip, I have remained in constant contact with the Kantei (Prime Minister's Office) and have ordered them to do all they can for the rescue of our nationals. I have also talked to Prime minister Cameron of the United Kingdom to exchange information and just got off the phone with Algerian Prime Minister Sellal and asked him to rescue our nationals and safeguard their lives. The situation is still precarious but we will do all we can do." INDONESIAN DELEGATIONS LISTENING TO THE NEWS CONFERENCE. END OF NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 2nd February 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Indonesia
- Country: Indonesia
- Topics: Conflict,International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA1KEXBEQGRCBRIGDI3AA2BIEC9
- Story Text: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned on Friday (January 18) the killing of civilians in a hostage crisis in Algeria.
The comments came as Abe announced he was cutting short his trip to southeast Asia, his first overseas trip since taking office.
Prior to his return Abe held meetings with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
"We discussed the Algerian hostage crisis. The President and I completely agreed that these atrocious acts which claimed many victims are absolutely unforgivable. And we both absolutely agreed to fight together terrorist acts."
Earlier in the day Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, said Tokyo had not been informed of the operation by Algerian forces in advance, calling it "regrettable".
Algerian forces stormed a desert gas complex to free hundreds of hostages, including Japanese, but 30 were killed in the assault along with at least 11 of their Islamist captors, an Algerian security source told Reuters.
Three Japanese workers of Japanese engineering firm JGC Corp have been confirmed safe but 14 others remained unaccounted for, he said.
Abe said the safety of hostages should be priority for the governments concerned, adding he was in contact with British Prime Minister David Cameron and the Algerian government.
"We must absolutely not forgive any act that takes a life of the innocent and at the same time the hostages' lives have to be given absolute priority. Since the incident, our government has kept in touch with other nations and coordinated closely to gather information. We have demanded that the Algerian government prioritise the safety of the hostages. Even while on this trip, I have remained in constant contact with the Kantei (Prime Minister's Office) and have ordered them to do all they can for the rescue of our nationals. I have also talked to Prime minister Cameron of the United Kingdom to exchange information and just got off the phone with Algerian Prime Minister Sellal and asked him to rescue our nationals and safeguard their lives. The situation is still precarious but we will do all we can do."
More than 20 foreign hostages were still unaccounted for on Friday and their captors threatened to attack other energy installations after the Algerian army assault to break the siege resulted in dozens of deaths.
At least eight foreigners were among thirty hostages killed in the raid, along with at least 18 of the captors.
The attackers said they took over the site in retaliation for France's military campaign against Islamist rebels in neighbouring Mali. Some hostages remained inside.
Abe was scheduled to give a policy speech later on Friday in which he was expected to push for closer ties with Southeast Asia to counter increased tensions with neighbours China and South Korea over territorial disputes.
Abe needs to handle the hostage crisis carefully and not attract domestic criticism ahead of an upper house election in July, which he needs to win to push forward his policies including the easing of constraints on the military under Japan's pacifist constitution. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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