PRESIDENT PRAISES CEASEFIRE
President praises ceasefire
PRESIDENT McAleese yesterday expressed hope that the ceasefire announced by the 'Real IRA' was genuine and permanent.
Speaking after receiving the news in Sydney during her state visit to Australia, the President said the statement was "cold comfort" to the people of Omagh, but it was nonetheless an important step in putting behind the culture of conflict.
"By their deeds we will know them and we sincerely hope that this statement of the permanency of the ceasefire is genuine."
She said she was aware of the Government's response to the ceasefire and she would stress to the people of Omagh that the commitment continues to ensure that those who carried out the appalling atrocity would be brought to full justice.
"We can go on now and re-dedicate our zeal and energy to the peace process." She said she now hoped the last "hard knot of people" had finally been won over to the search for peace through dialogue.
President McAleese received the news while attending a 1798 ecumenical commemorative service at the Irish National Memorial in Sydney's Waverley Cemetery.
She said the ideals of the United Irishmen, which brought Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter together in the pursuit of human rights and dignity, were perhaps now beginning to finally reach fruition.
PRESIDENT McAleese yesterday expressed hope that the ceasefire announced by the 'Real IRA' was genuine and permanent.
Speaking after receiving the news in Sydney during her state visit to Australia, the President said the statement was "cold comfort" to the people of Omagh, but it was nonetheless an important step in putting behind the culture of conflict.
"By their deeds we will know them and we sincerely hope that this statement of the permanency of the ceasefire is genuine."
She said she was aware of the Government's response to the ceasefire and she would stress to the people of Omagh that the commitment continues to ensure that those who carried out the appalling atrocity would be brought to full justice.
"We can go on now and re-dedicate our zeal and energy to the peace process." She said she now hoped the last "hard knot of people" had finally been won over to the search for peace through dialogue.
President McAleese received the news while attending a 1798 ecumenical commemorative service at the Irish National Memorial in Sydney's Waverley Cemetery.
She said the ideals of the United Irishmen, which brought Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter together in the pursuit of human rights and dignity, were perhaps now beginning to finally reach fruition.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/148
Published Date: 09-Sep-98
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