World powers condemn Bali bombings

LONDON, Sunday (AFP) - World leaders condemned a wave of bomb attacks on the resort island of Bali that left at least 32 people dead on Saturday, and pledged to support Indonesia in its fight against extremist violence.

The blasts tore through three packed tourist restaurants on the Indonesian holiday spot, creating all-too-familiar scenes of bloody chaos just days before the third anniversary of the nightclub attacks there.

British officials said tourists from Britain, the United States, Australia, Japan and Korea were among the scores of people injured. A French embassy official said at least 32 people were killed and 101 wounded.

Messages of indignation and support flooded in from the United Nations, Britain, the United States, France, Germany and Ireland, while those on the ground in Bali struggled to come to terms with the latest atrocity.

UN chief Kofi Annan said was dismayed that the island - a popular destination for Western holidaymakers - had once again become a target of indiscriminate violence.

"The Secretary-General strongly condemns today's bombings on the Indonesian island of Bali," a statement issued by his spokesman said.

"He sends his deepest sympathy to the injured and the bereaved of many nationalities as well as to the Indonesian government. He urges the Indonesian authorities to act promptly in identifying and bringing the perpetrators of this cowardly attack to justice."

British Prime Minister Tony Blair also denounced the "appalling attacks". He noted the importance of working together to prevent such carnage. "We stand by Indonesia at this very difficult time," said Blair, who was writing a personal note to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"I offer our full support to the people of Bali as they recover from another atrocity so soon after the 2002 attack," he said.

"The British government stands ready to help in any way we can."

London's Foreign Office said one Briton with dual Australian nationality had been seriously injured and another slightly hurt in the blasts.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice echoed Blair's words. "The United States condemns the terrorist bombings today in Bali that claimed innocent lives and injured many more," she said in a statement.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured."

Washington stood side-by-side with Indonesia, Rice said, adding: "We will continue to work together in our common fight against terror."

French President Jacques Chirac said in a letter to Yudhoyono that news of the near-simultaneous bombings "stunned and saddened me". He added: "France in the strongest possible way condemns these hateful acts."

A French woman residing in Indonesia was slightly wounded in one of the attacks but no French national was among the dead, a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry told AFP.

Germany's Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer denounced "in the strongest possible terms the despicable attacks in Bali."

A spokesman quoted him as saying: "The motive behind the attacks should be determined and those responsible brought to justice."

The German foreign ministry had no immediate information on whether any of its nationals had been killed or injured in the blasts.

Similarly, Ireland had - for now - escaped a mention in the casualty toll, but its Minister Dermot Ahern added his voice to the chorus of disgust. "I utterly condemn this barbaric attack which was deliberately designed to kill and injure innocent people," Ahern said in a statement.