ABC AUSTRALIA, 20/03/2003 18:04:53
Asia reacts to news of war in Iraq
Countries across Asia have reacted to the news of a US-led attack on Iraq.
China
China has made no immediate comment, but in a rare move, state television
broadcast President George W Bush's address live.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman says an official comment could be expected
later.
East Timor
The world's newest nation, East Timor, has expressed profound regret at the start of
the war against Iraq.
President Xanana Gusmao has issued a statement profoundly regretting that avenues
for a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis have seemingly reached a dead end.
Mr Gusmao has urged the international community to spare no effort to minimise the
impact of war on the Iraqi people.
Indonesia
Indonesia's cabinet is now meeting to discuss the US attack on Iraq.
Chief security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono did not elaborate but an
Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman says an official response is being drafted.
Indonesia has consistently opposed an attack against Iraq.
Japan
Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has announced his support of the attack.
"I understand the start of the use of force by America and support it," Mr Koizumi said
in a televised news conference an hour after America's announcement the war on Iraq
had begun.
Malaysia
Malaysia has condemned the start of the US-led war against Iraq.
Acting prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is expected to address the nation
shortly in a live telecast on the war.
Malaysia, a Muslim-majority South East Asian nation, has warned that war on Iraq
will inflame Islamic extremists and lead to more terrorism against Western targets.
Philippines
The Philippines President Gloria Arroyo has warned the Philippines and the world to
brace for terrorist attacks.
The Philippines is among 33 countries named by the United States among the
so-called international coalition for the disarmament of Iraq.
Singapore
Singapore Airlines will trim its services to the United States, Middle East and North
Asia in view of the war.
The carrier is also looking at reducing services to European cities but no further
details about the planned cutback are available at this stage.
South Korea South Korea's President, Roh Moo-hyun, has told his country the US-led
war on Iraq had been inevitable.
In a televised address, he said he would do his utmost to ensure the conflict does not
heighten tensions with North Korea.
Mr Roh also has also vowed his administration will work to minimise the impact of the
war on Asia's fourth-largest economy.
He says South Korea will offer aid and non-combat troops after the fighting stops.
Thailand
Thailand has distanced itself from the war on Iraq and called on the US to use
restraint in its military strikes.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra says Thailand will not get directly involved in war
as it wants to maintain good relations with all parties.
Mr Thaksin says Thailand supports a United Nations framework to peacefully resolve
the conflict.
Vietnam
Vietnam says the US has forgotten the lessons of the war in Indo-China during the
1960s and 1970s.
Vietnam's state media issued the statement at the start of strikes in Iraq.
20/03/2003 18:04:53 | ABC Radio Australia News
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