As you can see in the examples of China and Japan [0], a national apology can help ease tensions between peoples and countries and not apologizing can exacerbate already strained relations.

Admitting wrong doing and offering solutions to prevent this from ever happening again are the first steps towards rebuilding what is undoubtedly going to be a much damaged world wide reputation.

Even releasing this report was a step forward.

[0] - http://www.tealeafnation.com/2012/12/has-japan-ever-apologiz...

Necessary, but not sufficient.