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International reaction to flotilla intervention

31 May 2010 15:58:59 GMT

May 31 (Reuters) - Israeli commandos stormed a convoy of Gaza-bound aid ships on Monday and more than 10 of the mostly international activists aboard were killed, provoking a diplomatic crisis.

Here is some international reaction to the incident:

WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN WILLIAM BURTON:

"The United States deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained, and is currently working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy," Burton said.

U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON:

Ban called for a full investigation and expressed shock at the incident. "It is vital that there is a full investigation to determine exactly how this bloodshed took place. I believe Israel must urgently provide a full explanation," he said.

PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS:

"What Israel has committed on board the Freedom Flotilla was a massacre," said Abbas who declared three days of official mourning for the dead.

TURKISH PRIME MINISTER TAYYIP ERDOGAN

Erdogan accused Israel of state terrorism. "This action, totally contrary to the principles of international law, is inhumane state terrorism. Nobody should think we will keep quiet in the face of this".

ARAB LEAGUE CHIEF AMR MOUSSA:

Moussa called for an emergency meeting to discuss what the body that groups 22 Arab states described as Israel's "terrorist act".

SAUDI ARABIAN CABINET:

"This attack is an act of hostility that reflects inhumane practices that defy the whole world ... and the insistence to starve the Palestinian people .. and kill innocent people".

IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD:

"The inhuman acts of the Zionist regime against Palestinians and preventing humanitarian aid to the Gaza people does not show the strength of the Zionist regime but shows its weakness," Ahmadinejad told state broadcaster IRIB. "All these acts indicate the end of the heinous and fake regime and will bring it closer to the end of its existence."

LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER SAAD AL-HARIRI:

Hariri said Israel's move was a "crazy step" that risked inflaming conflict in the region.

EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK:

"President Hosni Mubarak condemns Israel's excessive and unjustified use of force against innocent civilians," state news agency MENA said, adding that Mubarak stressed Egypt's support of Gaza's Palestinians.

FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY:

"The President of the Republic expresses his profound emotion in the face of the tragic consequences of the Israeli military operation," Sarkozy's office said. "He condemns the disproportionate use of force and addresses his condolences to the families of the victims".

ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER FRANCO FRATTINI:

"I deplore in the strongest terms the killing of civilians. This is certainly a grave act".

BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY WILLIAM HAGUE:

"I deplore the loss of life during the interception of the Gaza Flotilla...We have consistently advised against attempting to access Gaza in this way, because of the risks involved. But at the same time, there is a clear need for Israel to act with restraint and in line with international obligations..."

GERMAN GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ULRICH WILHELM:

"The German government is shocked by events in the international waters by Gaza..."

"Every German government supports unconditionally Israel's right to self defence," said Wilhelm, but added that Israeli actions should correspond to what he described as the "basic principle" of proportionality.

EUROPEAN UNION

"High Representative Catherine Ashton expresses her deep regret at the news of loss of life and violence and extends her sympathies to families of the dead and wounded," said a spokesman for Ashton, the EU's foreign policy chief.

"On behalf of the European Union she demands a full enquiry about the circumstances in which this happened...The continued policy of closure is unacceptable and politically counter-productive. She calls for an immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of the crossing for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza".

NORWEGIAN PRIME MINISTER JENS STOLTENBERG:

"This underlines that the blockade of Gaza should be ended as soon as possible," Stoltenberg told reporters. "This type of military action is unacceptable. The shootings must be investigated and documented. It is clear that this is a use of force against civilians."

SPANISH SECRETARY OF STATE DIEGO LOPEZ GARRIDO:

"Spain unequivocally condemns the Israeli attack on the humanitarian flotilla and it does so as a country and as the acting president of the EU Council. Spain has summoned the Israeli ambassador to ask him for explanations of the attack.

DUTCH FOREIGN MINISTER MAXIME VERHAGEN:

"I want the Israeli ambassador in The Hague to provide clarification today on this," Verhagen said in a statement. "The Netherlands wants an investigation specifically into how this could have happened."

GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER DIMITRIS DROUTSAS:

"There is no excuse. The level of violence cannot be excused ... we condemn it and this is exactly the message I conveyed this morning to the Israeli ambassador.

"Israel must provide us with all the information demanded and (guarantee) the safety of the Greek citizens.

THE VATICAN:

"This is a very painful fact, in particular because of the loss of human lives," said chief Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi. He said the Vatican was against violence "from whatever side it comes". (Compiled by David Cutler, London Editorial Reference Unit; Editing by Diana Abdallah)