Reactions To Osama's Death

From Wikipedia:
"Reactions to bin Laden's death"

President Obama's address:

“Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound, in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.”

Ordinary Americans:

Americans reacting to the death of Osama bin Laden in front of the White House

Within minutes of the official announcement, crowds gathered spontaneously outside the White House, Ground Zero, the Pentagon and in New York's Times Square to celebrate.In Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit with a large Muslim and Arab population, a small crowd gathered outside the City Hall in celebration, many of them being of Middle Eastern descent.From the beginning to the end of Obama's speech, 4,000 tweets per second were sent on Twitter.Fans attending a nationally televised Major League Baseball game between two National League East rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets, at Citizens Bank Park initiated U-S-A! cheers in response to the news.Likewise, at WWE Extreme Rules 2011; a pay-per-view broadcast emanating from the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida newly crowned WWE Champion John Cena announced the news to the audience following the event's conclusion, resulting in a massive "U-S-A!" chant from the crowd. Several observers expressed disgust at these acts of celebration, labelling them as inappropriate.

American Politicans:

Former President George W. Bush said that "This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001." The event was also applauded by other Republican leaders, including former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty and Senator John McCain. Former President Bill Clinton described it as "a profoundly important moment for people all over the world who want to build a common future of peace, freedom, and cooperation for our children." New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that he hoped the death of bin Laden "would comfort those who lost loved ones" in the September 11, 2001 attacks.Former National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice characterized the news as "Absolutely thrilling", adding that she was "overwhelmed with gratitude and continue[s] to be amazed at what our military has achieved."

Pakistan:

Following the death of bin Laden, President Asif Ali Zardari convened emergency talks with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and security chiefs in Islamabad. Pakistan's military officials declined to comment, referring questions to the foreign ministry.Yousaf Raza Gillani said "We will not allow our soil to be used against any other country for terrorism and therefore I think it's a great victory, it's a success and I congratulate the success of this operation."

International:

• Afghanistan – President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, speaking on the death of bin Laden has said, “It’s wonderful. It’s great news,” elaborating that bin Laden has "been one of the key enemies of humanity, civilization, and it’s really been a major problem for the human race." He emphasized that "Afghanistan was right" in saying that "the fighting against terrorism is not in the villages of Afghanistan, not among the poor people of Afghanistan", but in "safe havens",and called on the Taliban to lay down their arms.

• Australia – Prime Minister Julia Gillard welcomed news of bin Laden's death, saying "Osama bin Laden declared war on innocent people and today he has paid the price for that declaration."She also said it was "a small measure of justice",but stated that the "War on Terror is not over", and "must be continued".

• Austria – Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger welcomed the news, calling it "a relief for many people", but warned that it must not be interpreted as a "final victory over terrorism."

• Canada – Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that the death of Osama bin Laden "secures a sense of justice for the families of the 24 Canadians murdered" (on September 11, 2001) and said that "Canada receives the news of the death of Osama bin Laden with sober satisfaction."

• Colombia – Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos congratulated President Obama, stating in a press release that the raid "proves once again that terrorists, sooner or later, always fall. In the global fight against terrorism there is only one way: to persevere, persevere and persevere."

• Czech Republic – Czech Prime Minister Petr Nečas said that "the death of Osama bin Laden is a significant milestone in the fight against terrorism, in the effort to secure world, though it is not far from its end. It is an important symbolic message to the survivors of victims of terrorist attacks by Al Qaeda and a clear signal to all parties without respect for law and human lives anywhere in the world: destroyed human life can not be replaced, but its marred don't stay unpunished."

• Denmark – the Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen congratulated the U.S. on the death of bin Laden. "I congratulate President Obama and the American people, with the success in finishing the era of bin Laden's unscrupulous and inhumane violence and destruction" he said.

• European Union – the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek said, "We have woken up in a more secure world."

• France – French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé said on state radio that bin Laden's death is a "victory for all democracies fighting the abominable scourge of terrorism." He went on to say, "France, the United States and European states work closely together to fight terrorism, so I'm overjoyed at the news."

• Germany – German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said, "That a stop could be put to this terrorist's bloody trade is good news for all peace-loving and free-thinking people in the world."

• Hungary – Hungarian Foreign Minister János Martonyi said, "The death of Osama bin Laden is a major success in the war on international terrorism, but it doesn't mean the end of this war. A very important and determined enemy of our entire civilization has fallen."

• India – Minister for Home Affairs P. Chidambaram said that Osama bin Laden hiding "deep inside" Pakistan was a matter of grave concern for India and showed that "many of the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks, including the controllers and the handlers of the terrorists who actually carried out the attack, continue to be sheltered in Pakistan." He also called on Pakistan to arrest them.[38] Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh said "I welcome it as a significant step forward and hope that it will deal a decisive blow to Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups. The international community and Pakistan in particular must work comprehensively to end the activities of all such groups who threaten civilized behaviour and kill innocent men, women and children."

• Iran – Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said bin Laden's death meant that the "US and their allies have no more excuse to deploy forces in the Middle East under (the) pretext of fighting terrorism". He hoped that the killing would "establish peace and security in the region," adding that it is Iran's policy to "strongly condemn terrorism all over the world." Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of the Iranian Parliament's foreign policy commission, stated, "If it is true, then the killing of bin Laden 10 years after the September 11 incident is no big deal."

• Ireland -- Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the removal of bin Laden's ability to plot heinous acts is a major achievement in the effort to rid the world of the threat of terrorism.

• Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that bin Laden's death was a "resounding triumph for democratic nations fighting terrorism."

• Italy – Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi said of bin Laden's killing "This is a great outcome in the fight against evil, in the fight against terrorism, a great outcome for the United States and for all democracies."

• Japan – the Foreign Minister of Japan, Takeaki Matsumoto said, "I pay respect to the US officials concerned. While his death was confirmed, it does not mean that terrorism was eliminated."

• Kenya – Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga said "It's a major achievement in the war against terrorism."

• Libya – Libyan rebel Air Force Colonel Ahmed Omar Bani stated that "We are very happy and we are waiting for the next step. We want the Americans to do the same to Gaddafi."

• Malaysia – Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein says he hopes that the death of bin Laden would help bring universal peace and harmony.

• Mexico – Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa Cantellano said "It is of great importance in efforts to free the world from the scourge of terrorism, which threatens peace and security, particularly one who leads one of the most ruthless and bloody terrorist organizations in the world."

• NATO – NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says the killing of Bin Laden is a "significant success" for the security of NATO allies, Reuters reports.

• New Zealand – New Zealand Prime Minister John Key stated that "the world is a safer place without Osama bin Laden", but "bin Laden's death may not mean an end to terrorism".

• Netherlands – Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte praises the courage and the determination that people showed during the mission. He further says that this is a major blow to the Al-Queda network. He has presented his compliments to President Obama but also said this is not the end of terrorism.

• Norway – Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called the death of Osama bin Laden "a break-through in the fight against terror," but insisted that the threat from al-Qaida remained.

• Palestinian Authority – "Getting rid of Bin Laden is good for the cause of peace worldwide but what counts is to overcome the discourse and the methods — the violent methods — that were created and encouraged by Bin Laden and others in the world," said spokesman Ghassan Khatib.

• Poland – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "Justice may be done. Congratulations to Allies. We are pleased with the American people."

• Philippines – The Philippine National Police described bin Laden's death as "a victory for all peace loving citizens and a major blow to terrorists and terrorism." Authorities in the Philippines believe that there are people who are linked to bin Laden's al-Qaeda network and may commit a retaliation attack.

• Portugal – The President of Portugal, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, sent a message to the President of the United states in which he expressed his solidarity with the feelings of the American people when the outcome of the military operation of which ended with the death of Osama bin Laden became known.

• Russia – "Russia was among the first countries to face the dangers inherent in global terrorism, and unfortunately knows what al Qaeda is not from hearsay," the Kremlin said. "Retribution will inevitably reach all terrorists."

• Singapore – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "the killing of Osama bin Laden [...] is a significant milestone in the struggle against international terrorism."

• Spain – Prime Minister of Spain José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero expressed: "In name of my Government and the spanish society, the satisfaction shared with the american people for the result of the antiterrorist operation which led to Bin Laden's death"

• Sweden – Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt wrote a tweet saying that "A world without Osama Bin Laden is a better world. His hatred was a threat to us all."

• Turkey – President Abdullah Gul said that bin Laden's death "should teach a lesson that the leader of the world's most dangerous and sophisticated terrorist organization is captured this way."

• United Kingdom – Prime Minister David Cameron said that bin Laden's death would "bring great relief" around the world.

• Vatican City – Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi said that while Christians "do not rejoice" over a death, bin Laden's death serves to remind them of "each person's responsibility before God and men," expressing hope that bin Laden's death "would not be an occasion for more hate, but for peace." The Vatican went on to say that Osama bin Laden must answer to God for having killed an innumerable number of people and exploiting religion.

• Yemen – A government official described bin Laden' death as "a truly historic moment". "We welcome the news ... millions of people will sleep in peace tonight, Osama bin Laden was more of a symbolic figure, a spiritual leader for al Qaeda. But this is definitely a strong blow to the organization," said the official, who did not want to be named because he is not authorized to talk to the media."

^ It seems the majority of the world are just as happy that he is dead as we are.

I found this posted on FB on several people's status pages and really like it: "Now I lay me down to sleep...one less terrorist this world does keep...with all my heart I give my thanks...to those in uniform regardless of ranks...you serve our country and serve it well...with humble hearts your stories tell...so as I rest my weary eyes...while freedom rings our flag still flies...you give your all, do what you must...with God we live and God we trust....Amen." ^

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactions_to_the_death_of_Osama_bin_Laden