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Blair attends New York service
By RANJAN ROYAssociated Press Writer
NEW YORK — British Prime Minister Tony Blair attended a church service in New York Thursday for British victims of last week's terror attacks, saying the tragedy has drawn the two nations even closer.
Blair and his wife, Cherie, sat in the front row of St. Thomas Church in midtown Manhattan and prayed with about 100 British families who had been affected by the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington.
``Nine days on, there is still the shock and disbelief; there is anger; there is fear. But there is also, throughout the world, a profound sense of solidarity; there is courage; there is a surging of the human spirit,'' Blair said from the lectern of this early 20th century church with strong British connections.
``The bonds between our countries, for so long so strong, are even stronger now,'' Blair said to the gathering of British and Americans, which also included war veterans and New York City's Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
Former President Clinton, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan also attended the service for the estimated hundreds of Britons who were killed.
Later, speaking to reporters outside the church in pouring rain, Blair said Americans had stood by the British during the two world wars, and now it was Britain's turn to stand ``side-by-side'' with the Americans.
Blair, who has worked since the attacks to build an international anti-terror coalition, left for Washington after the service to meet with President Bush.
Talks are expected to focus on building a global front against terrorism. The two leaders are also scheduled to have a working dinner before Bush addresses a joint session of Congress, during which Blair will be in the gallery with Bush's wife, Laura.
On his way to New York, Blair told British reporters about the prospect of committing British forces to an action.
``When we present the evidence as to who we believe is responsible for this, as well as evidence of those who harbor or help the people who carried out this attack, you will see very well the justification for the action we take.
``We have no option but to act,'' he said.
Earlier, during the service, Britain's Ambassador to Washington Christopher Meyer, read a message from Queen Elizabeth II.
``Each and every one of us has been shocked and numbed by what we have witnessed in these recent days,'' the Queen said.
``But none of us should doubt the resilience and determination of this great and much-loved city and its people,'' she said of New York.