G8 Leaders Pledge to Combat Terrorism as Summit Continues
As Tony Blair travelled his way from Scotland to London after the London Underground explosion, the rest of the G8 leaders continued their meeting. In the midst of the high-profile international gathering in Britain which is expected to be crucial to "Make Poverty History", the terrorist attack in London has been condemned by the world leaders as "barbaric".
A joint statement was released by the G8 and read by the G8 president, Tony Blair. The heads of the richest countries in the world promised unity in the face of terrorism.
"We condemn utterly these barbaric attacks ...All of our countries have suffered from the impact of terrorism. Those responsible have no respect for human life. We are united in our resolve to confront and defeat this terrorism that is not an attack on one nation, but on all nations and on civilised people everywhere," the leaders' statement said.
The leaders emphasised their commitment in the G8 summit will not cease due to the blast, "We will not allow violence to change our societies or our values. Nor will we allow it to stop the work of this Summit."
The leaders are particularly focused on two priorities - climate change and world poverty - in the Summit. "We will continue our deliberations in the interests of a better world. Here at this Summit, the world’s leaders are striving to combat world poverty and save and improve human life. The perpetrators of today’s attacks are intent on destroying human life."
In addition, the leaders powerfully declared that "the terrorists will not succeed". They pledged to unit in one effort to fight against extremism now growing in many place of the world.
"Today’s bombings will not weaken in any way our resolve to uphold the most deeply held principles of our societies and to defeat those who would impose their fanaticism and extremism on all of us. We shall prevail. They shall not."
Two major agendas were set for the G8 summit today and the summit continued without the presence of Blair. John Lanchberry, a climate change specialist in Gleneagles said, "... there is a determination not to deviate from the agenda."
However, it was announced on late Thursday afternoon, that the declaration and plans of action on climate change that were supposed to be released today at the G8 summit, will be issued on Friday because of the London bomb attacks.
The United Reformed Church has called for peace and reconciliation amid the terrorist attack that has killed at least 45 people. The statement from the Church said, "On a day when joy was transformed into horror, Christians cannot help but be reminded of the urgency of God’s call to work for peace and reconciliation."
"Our prayers are first of all with those who have suffered as a result of this atrocity, with those who care for them and those who seek to bring the perpetrators to justice."
"But in the days to come, alongside our prayers must go the determination on the part of Christians to ensure that we do not allow extremists to create divisions between the communities which make up our nation."
