SLAUGHTER MUST NOT KILL THE PEACE
Slaughter must not kill the peace says Prescott
By Steven McCaffery
THE BRITISH deputy prime minster has insisted the peace process "must survive" the slaughter at Omagh.
Standing close to the scene of the blast, John Prescott yesterday condemned those responsible for Saturday's bomb attack, but insisted the search for peace must not be derailed.
"It has to survive it," he said.
"Are we going to go back to the dark period of more bombs, bullets and communities turning in on themselves? No, we have to keep moving forward."
Mr Prescott, flanked by deputy fist minister of the shadow assembly Seamus Mallon and Ulster Unionist security spokesman Ken Maginnis, said he had come to see at first hand the "appalling evil act perpetrated against the people of Northern Ireland".
"No-one can help but believe when you look at that sight, (that the bomb) was engineered to maximise injury to the people, particularly to women and children. When you know there was an event (a cross-community carnival) to take place as well, it could have been even worse.
"I welcome the fact that there has been universal condemnation against this minority of people who seek to destroy in such a way - and destroy the peace process itself.
"I hope that universal condemnation will apply to a universal commitment to provide as much information as possible to find the people who perpetrated this act and bring them to justice, as the prime minister has said."
Minutes before Mr Prescott surveyed the scene of the attack and was brought to the heart of the blast zone by detectives.
He later said the attack was a crime against the entire community -unionist and nationalist.
UK Unionist Cedric Wilson, who arrived at the scene, called on the British government to end the early release of prisoners. Mr Prescott said the matter would be discussed by the prime minister and local representatives.
By Steven McCaffery
THE BRITISH deputy prime minster has insisted the peace process "must survive" the slaughter at Omagh.
Standing close to the scene of the blast, John Prescott yesterday condemned those responsible for Saturday's bomb attack, but insisted the search for peace must not be derailed.
"It has to survive it," he said.
"Are we going to go back to the dark period of more bombs, bullets and communities turning in on themselves? No, we have to keep moving forward."
Mr Prescott, flanked by deputy fist minister of the shadow assembly Seamus Mallon and Ulster Unionist security spokesman Ken Maginnis, said he had come to see at first hand the "appalling evil act perpetrated against the people of Northern Ireland".
"No-one can help but believe when you look at that sight, (that the bomb) was engineered to maximise injury to the people, particularly to women and children. When you know there was an event (a cross-community carnival) to take place as well, it could have been even worse.
"I welcome the fact that there has been universal condemnation against this minority of people who seek to destroy in such a way - and destroy the peace process itself.
"I hope that universal condemnation will apply to a universal commitment to provide as much information as possible to find the people who perpetrated this act and bring them to justice, as the prime minister has said."
Minutes before Mr Prescott surveyed the scene of the attack and was brought to the heart of the blast zone by detectives.
He later said the attack was a crime against the entire community -unionist and nationalist.
UK Unionist Cedric Wilson, who arrived at the scene, called on the British government to end the early release of prisoners. Mr Prescott said the matter would be discussed by the prime minister and local representatives.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0024
Published Date: 17-Aug-98
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