Bush visit marred by fresh violence in Turkey
US president George W Bush and prime minister Tony Blair have condemned today’s bomb attacks in Istanbul.
The suicide bombings left at least 26 dead and over 400 injured. The British consulate and the headquarters of UK-based bank HSBC were targeted.
In a joint press conference in the Foreign Office in London, Mr Blair and Mr Bush described the attacks as the “callous brutal murders of the innocent”.
However, both leaders remained defiant about their joint stance against terrorism and the occupation of Iraq.
“We can defeat them or be defeated by them, that’s what we’re going to do,” Mr Blair said.
The prime minister referred to the two leaders’ “unshakeable unity of purpose” and offered his “deepest sympathy and condolences” to the families of victims.
Mr Blair said: “There will be no holding back, no compromise, no hesitation in confronting this menace, in attacking it wherever and whenever we can, and defeating it utterly.
“There are those who believe there is something to gain from standing back, who believe that we and the US and Allies brought this on ourselves.”
But, he insisted, America did not attack al-Qaeda on September 11. He said the terrorist organisation had attacked “the way of life of all people who believe in tolerance and freedom, justice and peace.”
President Bush defended his stance on Iraq and again emphasised his support for freedom of speech when questioned about protests in London to his visit.
The US president praised the United Kingdom for its continued strength as an ally.
Later the two leaders sat down to a meal at 10 Downing Street cooked by British TV chef Nigella Lawson.
Mr and Mrs Bush later left Downing Street where they were waved off by the prime minister and his wife. Mr Bush described his visit as “absolutely spectacular”.
