Dozens die in London bombs

 

CARNAGE: In what officials were describing as an obvious terror attack, four explosions on London underground trains and a bus left scores dead and hundreds wounded

 

AGENCIES , WITH STAFF WRITERLONDON AND TAIPEI

 

Four blasts ripped through London during rush hour yesterday morning, killing at least 33 people, injuring hundreds of others and disrupting the G8 summit in Scotland in attacks British Prime Minister Tony Blair branded "barbaric."

 

"We are treating this as a terrorist incident," said Brian Paddick, the assistant deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan police, told a press conference.

 

Witnesses saw the top ripped off a double-decker bus near Russell Square close to King's Cross train terminal, and three more apparently coordinated explosions caused carnage on packed subway trains as Londoners made their way to work. Police said the bomb that blew the roof off the bus may have been destined for the underground network.

 

A wrecked double-decker London bus, with its roof blown off and debris strewn across the road after a blast in Russell Square in central London yesterday. Near simultaneous explosions also rocked at least three London subway stations during the morning rush hour yesterday.

 

"The fourth bomb may have been intended for an underground train," Paddick said.

 

The bus blast occurred about an hour after the first underground explosion.

 

"I was on the bus," said one dazed passenger. "I looked round and the seats behind me were gone."

 

"You could see bodies on the road outside," said another eyewitness, Peter Gordon. "There was smoke everywhere. It was carnage."

 

Paddick said seven people were killed on an underground train near Moorgate station, 21 were confirmed dead near Liverpool Street subway station and five died at Edgware Road.

 

An unknown number of people were also killed in the bus.

 

"We are clearly shocked but we are not surprised by what has happened," he told reporters, adding that police had received no warning prior to the attacks.

 

US President George W. Bush, speaking at the G8 summit, told reporters that "the war on terror goes on."

 

"We will not yield to these terrorists, we will find them, we will bring them to justice," he said.

 

A previously unknown group, "Secret Group of al Qaeda's Jihad in Europe," claimed responsibility, but Paddick said it was too early to say whether suicide bombers were involved.

 

Financial markets tumbled as the scale of the attacks became clear and Blair returned to London from the G8 meeting to oversee the emergency. He planned to return to the Gleneagles talks later in the day.

 

 

An injured tube passenger is escorted away from Edgware Road Tube Station in London following an explosion yesterday.

 

The attacks recalled last year's train bombings in Madrid blamed on al-Qaeda, and left Londoners in shock. The Islamic Human Rights Commission warned London Muslims to stay at home to avoid any violence aimed at them.

 

They came just a day after a jubilant London was awarded the 2012 Olympic Games.

 

The carnage began at around 9am with the first blast and ended an hour and three more explosions later. London's police chief Ian Blair said there were indications of explosives at the sites. Other officials added that there was no sign of chemical or biological weapons being used.

 

People were seen streaming out of underground stations covered with blood and soot. Hundreds of passengers were evacuated from stations across the capital, many in shock and with their clothes ripped to shreds, witnesses said.

 

Security experts said the blasts bore all the hallmarks of al-Qaeda.

 

"We would put al-Qaeda at the top of the list of any suspects," said Alex Standish, editor of Jane's Intelligence Digest. "Here you have a massive headline event which involves the three world leaders that al Qaeda detests -- Bush, Blair and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin."

 

The blasts plunged London into transport chaos with underground trains stranded in tunnels and buses pulled from central city streets for bomb checks.

 

In Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that no Taiwanese had been reported injured in the blasts.

 

The Presidential Office issued a statement "sternly condemned the terrorist acts" and expressed "condolence for those who unfortunately injured or killed in the event."

 

 

Su Tseng-chang says Chen should meet with Hu in US

 

By Charles Snyder

STAFF REPORTER

 

Despite a firm rejection of the idea by China, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang has urged that direct talks between presidents Chen Shui-bian and Hu Jintao be held in a third country, preferably in the US.

 

Su made the comment as he wrapped up two full days of talks in Washington with members of the two main US political parties, the Democrats and Republicans; academics and others concerned with Taiwanese affairs in the US capital.

 

Su was answering a question about the US role in cross-strait relations, after delivering a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on Wednesday.

 

Su noted that US President George W. Bush has called for Hu to talk directly with Chen and his government, which Su said Taiwan welcomed as a "crucial point" in determining what should be done to advance cross-strait relations.

 

"We want to propose that since we all agree that cross-strait dialogue is important, that it is necessary to have such a dialogue in a third country," he said.

 

"The US would be a good place" to conduct such a dialogue, Su added.

 

Beijing has rejected the idea of having such talks outside of China since the idea of high-level government-to-government talks was proposed recently, saying that negotiations should occur "on our own soil."

 

Su expressed optimism that direct cross-strait dialogue can be accomplished.

 

"We still are out to maintain positive expectations and hope that the Chinese government will choose to dialogue directly with the democratically-elected Chen Shui-bian and his government," Su said in statements translated into English by the head of the DPP's international department, Legislator Hsiao Bi-khim, who was accompanying Su.

 

"We still want to say that any dialogue is good, including dialogue with opposition leaders," he said.

 

"However, we want to tell China that if you are sincere in interacting with Taiwan, if you choose to only talk with the leaders of the opposition, then we can only be suspicious of your intention, and that is to divide Taiwan," he said.

 

Su's visit, his first to Washington, is aimed at introducing himself to US congressional, political and intellectual leaders, and promoting better ties between the two countries.

 

In his speech before a CSIS audience of some 150 scholars, diplomats, officials and others, Su defended Chen's efforts at constitutional reform, assuring his audience that the reforms are crucial to improve Taiwan's political processes and institutions, while avoiding potentially explosive independence-related issues.

 

He also chastised Americans who do not understand Taiwan's history of repression at the hands of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) during the White Terror.

 

Americans "take their democracy for granted," Su said, recalling his own upbringing, when parents forebade their children from talking about politics outside of the household, and contrasting that with current broadcast commentators who make money criticizing Chen openly on a regular basis.

 

Su will also visit San Francisco, New York and Boston.

 

 

Chen backs press freedom over security

 

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT: The president told a delegation of journalists that the media played a vital role in the democratization of Taiwan and must continue to do so

 

By Huang Tai-lin

STAFF REPORTER

 

President Chen Shui-bian yesterday said he would choose to sacrifice national security to defend freedom of press should the dilemma arise of a conflict between the two.

 

"Although there are people who disagree with this rhetoric, I will stand firm on this stance," Chen told a delegation headed by International Federation of Journalists president Christopher Warren at the Presidential Office yesterday afternoon.

 

Chen said that Taiwan, having progressed from the oppression of the Martial Law era to consolidating its democracy and freedom, wouldn't be the way it is today without the media's efforts and its vision for democracy.

 

Chen told his guests that the "media is the greatest helper" in the implementation of the universal values of democracy and freedom in Taiwan.

 

"Although there are times where media reports run counter to the truth and appear absurd to the individuals involved, we still need to give [the media] our respect ... The media is a politician's best mirror and the government's best antiseptic," Chen said.

 

"Many might have criticized Taiwan's press freedom now as being overly lax, but, given that Taiwan was under martial law for 38 years during which there was no room for freedom of expression, my stance toward defending press freedom is that I would rather it be too lax than not enough," he said.

 

Citing his experience as a defense lawyer for Formosa magazine -- which offered a forum for people opposed to the former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government in the late 1970s -- Chen said that experience had strengthened his determination to fight for freedom of expression.

 

The freedom of press, which ensures the people's right to know and strengthens the media's function of supervising the government, is an indispensable link in the formation and development of democracy, Chen said, noting that the government is pushing a second phase of constitutional reform.

 

"We look hope defense of an absolute press freedom will be included in the Constitution," he said.

 

He noted that China, on the other hand, is the world's leading jail for journalists.

 

According to a report issued by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists' in May, China was the leading jailer of journalists for the sixth consecutive year, with 42 imprisoned at the end of last year.

 

Cuba ranked second with 23 members of the media behind bars.

 

 

Chen closes door on China, for now

 

By Rich Chang

STAFF REPORTER

 

President Chen Shui-bian yesterday said there was no need for further communication with China for the moment.

 

Observing a military exercise in Taichung County yesterday, Chen said, "There will be another wave of `China fever' this summer. Some legislators are proposing visits to China, but I think there is presently no need for further communication or understanding between Taiwan and China."

 

"China has been attempting to bring disunity to Taiwanese people. I hope that all Taiwanese people, legislators, local representatives and public-sector workers can recognize China's trickery, and not serve as tools for disuniting Taiwanese people," he said.

 

 

A team of reserves practices preventing enemy boats from reaching land during the Tunghsing military drills in Wuchia Harbor in Taichung County's Taan Township yesterday. The harbor was closed for the duration of the drills, which were also held in Tachia Township in Taichung County and in Miaoli County's Yuanli Township.

 

Chen said reconciliation between China and Taiwan required more honesty and goodwill.

 

However, he said, Beijing had not only been stirring up difficulties among Taiwanese but also suppressing the country internationally, adding more uncertainty to the potential for dialogue between both sides.

 

China's expanding military and the increase in missiles targeting Taiwan had tipped the military balance in China's favor, he said, causing consternation in the US and Japan. As a result, he said, Taiwan urgently needed to procure advanced arms to defend the country.

 

Chen and Vice President Annette Lu watched reserve drills yesterday morning, part of this year's annual "Han Kuang" military exercises. The army reserve was practicing street warfare and anti-landing strategies.

 

Ministry of National Defense spokesman Rear Admiral Liu Chih-chien said more than 5,000 reserves reported for duty after they were summoned. The 97 percent attendance rate was a record high, he said, a fact that pleased Chen.

 

The live-fire drill yesterday was based on a scenario in which China launches a surprise raid on the Taichung County coastline.

 

At the beginning of the drill, "enemy forces" attempted to land along the coast. They were to be engaged by reserves along the waterfront and in nearby houses. The reserves also used fishing nets and fishing boats to block enemy routes, preventing the boats and their personnel from landing.

 

 

Tibetans risk lives to reach India

 

ESCAPE: Fifty-six Tibetans who arrived in Dharamsala Wednesday joined their compatriots in a crowded refugee center, relieved to have survived a long trek

 

AFP , DHARAMSALA, INDIA

 

After weeks of arduous trekking across the roof of the world, dodging Chinese troops and risking jail in Nepal, the 56 Tibetan refugees finally arrived in India and the home of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

 

"All my troubles are now forgotten," whispered 22-year-old Tsering Dolma, one of the 56 who spent three weeks walking from Tibet to neighboring Nepal, where she was jailed for 20 days before Indian and UN officials helped her to reach Dharamsala on the Dalai Lama's 70th birthday on Wednesday.

 

"I have left behind my mother and a sister but I will not return as I want to study," said Dolma, 22.

 

She paid a Nepalese guide 2,300 yuan (US$277) for the journey, but he stole her remaining 500 yuan when she reached the Nepalese capital Kathmandu.

 

Ringed by the Himalayas and home to the Tibetan government-in-exile since 1959, the northern Indian town of Dharamsala also hosts the Tibetan Reception Center, the largest of three in India handling refugees like Dolma.

 

DISPATCHED

"The younger ones on arrival go to schools we run and the nuns and monks are dispatched to monasteries," said center director Dorjee, who uses one name.

 

The center annually receives 3,000 refugees from Tibet.

 

"It is difficult to find jobs for refugees above 30 years of age so we give them financial aid as a start-up in a new life," said Dorjee's deputy, Mingyur Youdon, dealing with a throng of Tibetan Buddhist monks.

 

Dorjee is one of Dalai Lama's busiest executives, pestering Indian diplomats in Kathmandu and officials of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to herd the flow of Tibetans across three volatile borders to Dharamsala.

 

"Most of them come through Nepal and they sleep during daytime and trek at night."

 

 

A young Tibetan stands among fellow refugees on arrival at the Tibetan Reception Center, the main refugee transit center, in Dharamsala on Tuesday. Home to the Dalai Lama and the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile since 1959, this northern Indian hilltop town also hosts the largest transit camp for Tibetan refugees and ex-political prisoners fleeing their Chinese-held homeland.