MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday called a suicide bomb attack in the Turkish capital Ankara that killed six people "tragic proof" of the need to intensify the battle against terrorism.
"It is new tragic proof of the need to intensify international efforts to combat terrorism," he said in a message to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan distributed by the Kremlin.
"I ask you to transmit my profound condolences to the parents and relatives of the deceased, words of support and my hopes for a prompt recovery for the injured."
A suicide bomber suspected of belonging to a separatist Kurdish rebel group was believed to be behind the powerful explosion in downtown Ankara on Tuesday.
The blast ripped through a busy commercial district during the evening rush hour, also injuring 100 people, among them eight Pakistani nationals in town to attend an international defence industry fair.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner expressed "profound indignation" over the attack in a message to Turkey's foreign minister.
"France condemns with the greatest firmness all forms of terrorism and will stand by your side to battle against violence and extremism," he said.
In Madrid, Spain's foreign ministry said it supported Turkey's fight against "the abominable scourge that is terrorism," pledging "very close cooperation" on the issue.
The Council of Europe also condemned the attack, calling those responsible "criminals, whatever cause they claim to pursue."
"Killing people while they go about their everyday lives is murder, and the people responsible for this atrocious act of violence are criminals, whatever cause they claim to pursue," said council general secretary Terry Davis in a statement.
The European Union, which Turkey is seeking to join, called it a "horrible and cowardly attack".
"The European Commission expresses its solidarity with Turkey in its efforts to fight terrorism, which is a common concern for the EU and Turkey," EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said in a statement.
The EU presidency, currently held by Germany, said in a statement that "the people behind this cowardly crime must be tracked down and brought to justice."
05/23/2007 13:30 GMT