Page 30 - bon-dia-aruba-20220709

A30 world news
Diasabra 9 Juli 2022

Assassination of Japan’s Shinzo Abe stuns world leaders

(AP) — Friday’s shocking
assassination of former Norwegian Foreign Minis-
Japanese Prime Minis- ter Anniken Huitfeldt noted
ter Shinzo Abe in one of that Abe was killed “while
the world’s safest coun- campaigning for his fellow
tries stunned leaders and party members. All politi-
drew condemnation, with cians should be safe while
Iran calling it “terrorism” executing their work for de-
while European leaders mocracy.”
slammed the “despicable”
attack. Indonesian Foreign Minis-
ter Retno Marsudi, who is
Tributes poured in as govern- president of the Group of
ments expressed sorrow and 20 nations’ foreign ministers
solidarity with Japan over the meeting in Bali, Indonesia,
loss of Abe, who was Japan’s said Abe “will always be re-
longest-serving leader before membered as a prime exam-
stepping down in 2020 for ple for all.”
health reasons. The International Olympic
Committee praised Abe for
Abe, 67, was shot from be- his “vision, determination
hind in Nara in western Ja- and dependability” that al-
pan while giving a campaign lowed it to postpone the 2020
speech. He was airlifted Tokyo Olympics for one year
to a hospital and later pro- because of the COVID-19
nounced dead. pandemic. It said the Olym-
pic flag will be flown at half
U.S. President Joe Biden said staff at Olympic House in
he was “stunned, outraged, Lausanne for three days.
and deeply saddened,” and French foreign ministry great leader, and Jordan and I contribution to elevating
he visited the residence of called the shooting “despica- lost a true friend,” the mon- India-Japan relations to the Former U.S. President Don-
Japan’s ambassador to the ble,” U.N. Secretary-General arch tweeted. level of a special strategic and ald Trump said he hoped
U.S. on Friday to offer con- Antonio Guterres “horrific” global partnership. Today, Abe’s killer will be dealt with
dolences. He placed a bou- and Spanish Prime Minister New Zealand Prime Minis- whole India mourns with Ja- “swiftly and harshly.” “Re-
quet of flowers on a table set Pedro Sánchez “cowardly.” ter Jacinda Ardern said Abe pan and we stand in solidar- ally BAD NEWS FOR THE
up near a koi pond and wrote “I have fond memories of was one of the first leaders ity with our Japanese broth- WORLD!” he said on his so-
in a condolence book that meeting Mr. Abe and his she met after taking office ers and sisters in this difficult cial media platform. He said
Abe was “a man of peace and wife during their visit to the and described him as deeply moment,” Modi said. Abe “was a unifier like no
judgment.” United Kingdom in 2016,” committed to his role, gener- Australian Prime Minister other, but above all, he was
Queen Elizabeth II said in a ous and kind. Anthony Albanese said Abe a man who loved and cher-
“This is a tragedy for Japan written statement. “His love “I recall him asking after the was a “giant on the world ished his magnificent coun-
and for all who knew him,” for Japan, and his desire to recent loss of our pet when I stage,” adding that “his legacy try, Japan.”
Biden said. “His vision of a forge ever-closer bonds with met him, a small gesture but was one of global impact, and
free and open Indo-Pacific the United Kingdom, were one that speaks to the kind a profound and positive one In China, however, Abe’s
will endure. Above all, he clear.” of person he is,” Ardern said. for Australia.” shooting triggered unfavor-
cared deeply about the Japa- “Events like this shake us all able comments from tens of
nese people and dedicated his Ukraine President Volody- to the core.” Former German Chancellor thousands of nationalist citi-
life to their service.” myr Zelenskyy tweeted his Angela Merkel, whose time zens on social media.
“deepest condolences to his In the NHK video, security in office from 2005-2021
Japanese Prime Minister family and the people of Ja- guards are seen leaping on largely overlapped Abe’s, said Some quipped, “Hope he’s
Fumio Kishida, who hast- pan at this difficult time,” top of a man in a gray shirt she was “deeply shocked and not OK,” while dozens half-
ily returned to Tokyo from while South Korean Presi- who lies face down on the devastated” by the “cowardly jokingly called the shooter “a
campaign events around the dent Yoon Suk Yeol called pavement. A double-barreled and vile assassination.” hero” or “anti-Japan hero.”
country, condemned the “un- the shooting “an intolerable device that appeared to be a Others said Abe’s injuries
forgivable act.” He said cam- criminal act,” his office said. handmade gun is seen on the Taiwan’s government said were a comfort to the souls
paigning as well as Sunday’s Iran said it was “an act of ter- ground. “Abe spared no effort to push of people who died in Japan’s
elections for parliament’s up- rorism.” for the progress of Taiwan- invasion of China during
per house will proceed. Police arrested a suspect at Japan relations for many World War II.
“As a country that has been the scene. Under Japanese years,” noting his efforts dur-
“The free and fair election, a victim of terrorism and law, possession of firearms ing the COVID-19 pandemic While not necessarily the
which is the root of democ- has lost great leaders to ter- is illegal without a special li- for the Japanese government view of most Chinese, the
racy, needs to be protected no rorists, we are following the cense. Importing them is also to donate vaccines to Taiwan. posts reflect strong public
matter what. We will not be news closely and with con- illegal. sentiment — encouraged by
defeated by violence,” Kishi- cern,” Iran’s Foreign Minis- Italian Premier Mario Draghi government propaganda —
da said. try spokesperson said. Leaders from Germany, Paki- said Italy was embracing against right-wing Japanese
Public broadcaster NHK stan, Sweden and the Philip- Abe’s family, the government politicians who question or
Biden called Kishida “a very aired a dramatic video of Abe pines were also among those and the Japanese people. deny that Japan’s military
solid guy” and said he did not giving a speech outside a train who gave condolences, and committed atrocities in Chi-
believe the killing was likely station in Nara. He is stand- many countries including “Italy is distraught over the na.
to have “any profound, desta- ing, dressed in a navy blue Spain and France expressed terrible attack against Japan
bilizing impact on Japanese suit, raising his fist, when solidarity with Japan. Indian and its free, democratic de- Chinese Foreign Ministry
security or Japanese solidar- two gunshots are heard. The Prime Minister Narendra bate. Abe was a great pro- spokesperson Zhao Lijian
ity.” video then shows Abe col- Modi announced a day of na- tagonist of Japanese and in- said China expressed sympa-
Leaders from Turkey to Sin- lapsed on the street. tional mourning on Saturday ternational political life in thies with Abe’s family and
gapore condemned the at- as a mark of deepest respect recent decades, thanks to his that the shooting shouldn’t
tack. British Prime Minis- Jordan’s King Abdullah II for Abe. innovative spirit and reform- be linked with bilateral rela-
ter Boris Johnson and the said he was shocked and sad- ist vision,” Draghi said in a tions.
dened. “The world lost a “Mr. Abe made an immense statement.