World leaders reacted with revulsion to the devastating U.S. aircraft attacks

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Busy bars and restaurants came to a halt yesterday lunchtime across the Balearics as the news of the attacks on the United States flashed up on the television screens. Balearic President Francesc Antich, on behalf of everybody in the Balearics, immediately sent a telegram to the United States Ambassador to Spain condemning the terrorist attacks and expressing the region's sympathy for the victims. Antich also contacted the United States Consular Agent to the Balearics, Tumi Bestard, offering all the local government's help and co-operation. While there was widespread shock, horror and indignation in the Balearics, there was also deep concern for people flying to the United States. New York, in particular, is an extremely popular destination for the Spanish and this time of year a large number of students from the Balearics are either heading out or returning to colleges in the United States. The Balearic Minister for Tourism, Celesti Alomar, spent the afternoon in contact with all the tour operators and travel agents trying to ascertain how many Balearic tourists are currently in New York, Washington and elsewhere in the United States and how many were flying to the United States yesterday before US airspace and airports were closed.