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Blair says not all muslims are bad { July 7 2005 }

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   http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/5496044.html

http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/5496044.html

Last update: July 7, 2005 at 9:01 PM
Blair faces Olympic triumph and grim tragedy in 24 hours
Jill Lawless, Associated Press
July 8, 2005 BLAIR0708

LONDON -- For Prime Minister Tony Blair, the high of winning the 2012 Olympics was followed by the devastating low of deadly bombings in the heart of London. He rose to the occasion Thursday, delivering an almost Churchillian appeal for unity and vowing steadfastly to defeat terror and root out the perpetrators.

In a solemn rallying cry to the nation, Blair said it was "a very sad day for the British people, but we will hold true to the British way of life."

While those who committed the explosions "act in the name of Islam, we also know that the vast and overwhelming majority of Muslims here and abroad are decent and law-abiding people" who also abhor terror, he said.

Blair was hosting a summit of G-8 leaders in Scotland when the attacks occurred. He rushed back to London, and after meeting with ministers and officials, delivered a televised address from 10 Downing Street.

Blair, dressed in a black suit, said the perpetrators of the attacks were using terrorism to express their values and "it is right at this moment that we demonstrate ours."

"I think we all know what they are trying to do: They are trying to use the slaughter of innocent people to cower us, to frighten us out of doing the things that we want to do, of trying to stop us going about our business as normal, as we are entitled to do, and they should not, and they must not, succeed," Blair said.

The prime minister's somber tone was in stark contrast to the joy he expressed a day earlier as London was selected to host the 2012 Olympics.

Blair has a talent for bouncing back from adversity. Just two months ago, he seemed to be a spent political force after British voters returned him to office with a sharply reduced majority in Parliament.

But the chance to host the G-8 summit and his recent assumption of the rotating E.U. presidency as the 25-nation bloc struggles for a direction appear to have reinvigorated him. And Blair's poised performance Thursday once again proved he is a leader who thrives and shows a sure rhetorical touch in times of crisis.

In his address, Blair harkened back to the "Blitz spirit" that saw Londoners through Nazi bombing during World War II -- and, by association, to Winston Churchill, the wartime leader whose determined, moving speeches helped steel the national resolve.

"I would also pay tribute to the stoicism and resilience of the people of London who have responded in a way typical of them," Blair said.

He said Britain would show "by our spirit and dignity" that "our values will long outlast" those of the terrorists.



Alqaeda server owned by friend of president bush { July 9 2005 }
Aswat suspected of alqaeda links { August 4 2005 }
Blair says not all muslims are bad { July 7 2005 }
Bombing suspect arrested in egypt
Brits downplaying aswats connections to attacks { August 3 2005 }
Doj blocked efforts to prosecute aswat { July 24 2005 }
Group claiming london attack also claimed easting blackout
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London bomber appears in farewell tape
New europe alqaeda misquotes quranic verses { July 7 2005 }
New europe organization claims responsbility for attacks
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Suspect haroon aswat confirmed as mi6 agent { September 25 2005 }

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