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EU to Mourn US Terror Victims Friday


The European Union has declared Friday a day of mourning for the victims of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. The European Union has also pledged to do whatever it can to find those responsible for the attacks.

EU foreign ministers held an emergency meeting in Brussels Wednesday, to show support for the United States and to consider what actions EU members can take in the wake of the tragedy.

Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel, whose country holds the EU presidency, read a statement from the ministers condemning the attacks in New York and Washington. The EU ministers, Mr. Michel said, vowed to do everything possible to track down those who carried out the violence. He spoke through an interpreter.

"The union will not rest in its efforts to attempt to identify, to pinpoint, and to bring to justice those who are responsible," he said. "Organized terrorism will find a refuge no where."

The statement also instructed EU transport and justice ministers to review security at European airports and railway stations in an effort to prevent terror attacks.

Earlier, the head of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, said the United States supported Europe in its darkest days and now Europe is returning that support. Speaking to reporters in Brussels after observing one minute of silence for those who died in Tuesday's attacks, Mr. Prodi said the criminal actions were intended as an assault on freedom itself.

However, he also vowed not to allow terrorism to win the day and divide the world. He said European Union governments will work closely with the United States.

On Friday, as part of the day of mourning, all EU nations are observing three minutes of silence at noon local time in honor of the victims of Tuesday's attacks.

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