International Reactions to the DEATH of our beloved EX-president Cory AQUINO
* Flag of Canada Canada: Canadian Ambassador Robert Desjardins said Aquino has been recognized internationally for her contributions to human rights and political freedoms, values that Canada strongly shares with the Philippines, adding that she will be sincerely missed by the international community, and people everywhere, including the 300,000 Canadians of Filipino origin.
“The government and the people of Canada would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the Filipino people. President Aquino will be remembered as a leader who ushered in a new era of freedom in the Philippines, and inspired millions around the world. She was an international icon of democracy, a global model of people power, and a passionate advocate of good governance,” Desjardins said.
* Flag of the People's Republic of China People's Republic of China: The Embassy of the People's Republic of China has issued the following statement: "We are deeply saddened on hearing the news that former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino passed away early this morning. The Philippines lost an inspiring statesman while China, in sharp grief, bereaved of a sincere friend. President Aquino made great efforts in developing China-Philippine friendly relations. Her vision would be remembered and her contribution would be long cherished by China and the Chinese people. May she rest in peace." Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a message of sympathy to his Philippine counterpart Arroyo over Aquino's passing.
* Flag of Europe European Union: Ambassador Alistair MacDonald of the delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines led the European Union in expressing grief over the death of Aquino.
“Throughout her presidential term, and notwithstanding a number of severe challenges, she never flinched in her determination to ensure that the Philippines would not veer from its democratic path,” MacDonald said.
* Flag of Indonesia Indonesia: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of the Philippines' nearest neighbour Indonesia said in a statement he was saddened by the news and offered his heartfelt condolences.
* Flag of Japan Japan: Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso hailed Aquino's contribution to friendly ties between the two countries. "We would like to sincerely renew our deep respect for her achievement," Aso said.
* Flag of Malaysia Malaysia: The wife of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, arrived in Manila on Sunday to pay tribute to former Philippine president Corazon Aquino. "Now that she is gone, I feel grief and the loss not only for the Filipinos but for myself," she said after viewing the remains of the former president. In a message read by Wan Azizah, Anwar thanked Aquino for her support during his incarceration: "The Malaysian people have a special reason to view her as an iconic figure. Their striving for a return of their country to the dispensation entrusted to it by its founding Constitution mirrors hers and Ninoy’s successful struggle to return the Filipino nation to the promise of Jose Rizal’s legacy."
* Flag of Russia Russia: President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev in a telegram to President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stated, “The name of Corazon Aquino is associated with a period of profound reforms and the democratic transformation of Filipino society.” Medvedev also noted that Corazon Aquino showed great interest and sympathy to Russia and prioritised the development of Russian-Filipino relations.
* Flag of Singapore Singapore: Singapore, in a statement from the Foreign Ministry, lauded her as "a remarkable woman" who worked tirelessly for the betterment of the Philippines.
* Flag of South Africa South Africa: President of South Africa Jacob Zuma called Aquino "a great leader who set a shining example of peaceful transition to democracy in her country."
* Flag of Thailand Thailand: Thailand has sent condolences on the death of former Philippine president Corazon ‘Cory’ Aquino who died Saturday after a yearlong battle with colon cancer. In his message to Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said his government and the people of Thailand have learned with “deep sadness and join the Republic of the Philippines in mourning of the demise of Her Excellency Corazon Aquino."
"Her Excellency Aquino’s contributions to the development of the country and tireless devotion to peace, stability and democracy for the people of the Republic of the Philippines are well recognized throughout the world and will always be remembered and cherished by all of us with admiration and respect.”
* Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom: The British Government has extended its condolences to the the family of the late President through Foreign Office Minister Ivan Lewis.
Former Foreign Office Minister, Lord Malloch-Brown, who worked closely with Mrs Aquino during her election campaign added: "I received the news of Corazon Aquino's death with great sadness. As an advisor in her campaign against President Marcos, the privilege of working with Cory and watching her was one of my life's greatest lessons in courage, leadership, the art of politics and humanity. The way she and all her family made such friends of me as an outsider is something I have always treasured."
British Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Beckingham also said: "I had the honour and pleasure of meeting former President Aquino on several occasions, when we were able to discuss her visits to London and her interests in members of the Filipino community in Britain, especially those serving in the Church. Those discussions left me with an overwhelming sense of her grace, charisma and compassion. The Philippines has lost a wonderful leader who is widely admired in Britain for her courage and inspiration."
* Flag of the United States United States: According to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, President Barack Obama was deeply saddened by the death of President Aquino. Gibbs said that, "Ms. Aquino played a crucial role in Philippines history, moving the country to democratic rule through her non-violent “People Power” movement over twenty years ago. Her courage, determination, and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the best in the Filipino nation. On behalf of the American people, the President extends his deepest condolences to the Aquino family and the nation of the Philippines".
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Former U.S. President Bill Clinton expressed their condolences and said that they were "inspired by her quiet strength and her unshakable commitment to justice and freedom".
U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney said in a statement “On behalf of the U.S. Embassy, I would like to express our most heartfelt condolences to the Aquino family and to the people of the Philippines on the death of former President Corazon Aquino".
* Flag of the Vatican City Vatican City: According to the Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, Pope Benedict XVI recalled Corazon Aquino's "courageous commitment to the freedom of the Filipino people." He remembered her "as a woman of deep and unwavering faith".
