MH17: World leaders' reaction
Vilashiiney Panneerselvam
Julai 18, 2014 09:37 MYT
Julai 18, 2014 09:37 MYT
Remembering MH17
Many world leaders' expressed their shock and grief over the tragedy that befell Malaysia Airlines (MAS) MH17 which crashed in Ukraine near the Russian border on Thursday.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in his tweet promised to investigate the tragedy immediately.
Meanwhile, President of the United States Barack Obama described the incident as a "terrible tragedy" and has offered any assistance is necessary to help determine exactly what happened and why.
President of the United States Of America, Barack Obama
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his Facebook also expressed his sadness and hope all Singaporeans will be with the passengers and crew, as well as the families of those involved.
Russian President Vladimir Putin in his condolence message to Najib also pledged his support for the victims family.
Reuters news agency reported Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as saying "I am deeply shocked by the dramatic reports on the crash of Malaysia Airlines MH17".
He also noted that he had been in touch with Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte
Meanwhile, Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott echoed the sentiments by other world leaders saying it would be "an unspeakable crime" if the plane had been deliberately brought down.
Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott
The United Nation Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon states that there is clear need for a full international investigation on Malaysian Airlines disaster in Ukraine.
In a joint statement, the European Council President Herman van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said on behalf of the European Union conveys their deepest condolence to the Prime Ministers of the Netherlands and Malaysia.
“We are shocked by the crash of the Malaysian airliner in Ukraine and the tragic loss of so many lives. Citizens from many nationalities including from the European Union have been killed.”
They also said they call for an immediate and thorough investigation into the causes of the crash. The facts and responsibilities need to be established as quickly as possible. The European Union will continue to follow this issue very closely.
Among those on the plane were 12 Indonesians, and its President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said if the plane was shot at, by military weapons, it was a violation of international law and "even the laws of war".
"Because of this, if the investigation proves that this is what did indeed happen, Indonesia hopes those responsible are sanctioned and handed a heavy punishment," he said in a televised press conference.
He urged Indonesians to avoid flights over war and conflict zones, including Ukraine, the Ukraine-Russia border and the Gaza Strip.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully also called for a full investigation as he confirmed one citizen, normally resident in Australia, was on MH17 and had been travelling with her Dutch husband.
A British woman who was a long-time resident of New Zealand was also among the victims, he added.
"We call for independent investigators to be allowed access to the crash site," McCully said in a statement.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully