CLINTON'S MESSAGE OF HOPE TO OMAGH
Clinton's message of hope to Omagh
By William Graham
Political Correspondent
PRESIDENT Bill Clinton, in a personal message marking the Omagh anniversary, has said violence has no place in the north's future and that the day of the gun and the bomb should be over once and for all.
The people of Omagh also received messages of sympathy and support yesterday from Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
In a message to Omagh district council the president said: "As you commemorate the anniversary of the bombing that rocked Omagh last August 15, I want you to know that the prayers of all Americans and of peace-loving people everywhere are with you and your families.
"Your courage and resilience since that tragedy are a moving tribute to those who perished a year ago. Their lives and memory will never be forgotten, and neither will the struggles of those scarred physically and emotionally by the terrible events last year.
"I will always remember my visit in the aftermath of the bombing, my conversations with many of you, and your determination to build a better world for your children.
"Together we must affirm that violence has no place in Northern Ireland's future, and that the day of the gun and the bomb is over once and for all."
President Clinton added: "A new and better future dawned with the Good Friday accord, and I believe that full implementation of the accord is still the foundation upon which a just and inclusive peace will be built in Northern Ireland.
"The people have spoken, and they expect no less of their leaders than an unswerving dedication to build this new reality. Let that be the legacy of Omagh - a renewed commitment on all sides that cooperation will replace conflict, that dialogue will replace diatribe, and that no community on this island will ever again suffer such a terrible loss."
Tony Blair said the whole community in Northern Ireland and across the world had felt moved to reach out to those affected by the bombing in Omagh.
"The pain for many is as yet undiminished, but I assure them that their suffering will not be forgotten," Mr Blair said.
He said he was sure that the community in Omagh faced the weekend "with heavy hearts" - "when all remember the horror of the appalling atrocity on 15 August last year which brought such heartache into the homes of Omagh, and its surrounding villages, and of Buncrana and Spain."
Bertie Ahern said the Omagh bombing, which claimed 29 lives, injured hundreds of people and cruelly shattered the heart of Omagh, was a terrible and utterly appalling atrocity.
Mr Ahern said that, as with previous atrocities, survivors of the bombing would still be suffering from their injuries, the bereaved would still be trying to come to terms with their loss and all those who responded so bravely and with such humanity at the scene would still be haunted by terrible images.
He said: "We were all united by our feelings of sorrow and grief and people everywhere on this island expressed our deepest and sincerest sympathy through words and prayers. Throughout this past year, people the length and breadth of Ireland and in Britain have continued to demonstrate, in many practical ways, their concern and support for all those still suffering the effects of the bombing."
Mr Ahern emphasised that the Irish government would continue to work closely with the British government and the parties in Northern Ireland to bring about a peaceful solution.
By William Graham
Political Correspondent
PRESIDENT Bill Clinton, in a personal message marking the Omagh anniversary, has said violence has no place in the north's future and that the day of the gun and the bomb should be over once and for all.
The people of Omagh also received messages of sympathy and support yesterday from Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
In a message to Omagh district council the president said: "As you commemorate the anniversary of the bombing that rocked Omagh last August 15, I want you to know that the prayers of all Americans and of peace-loving people everywhere are with you and your families.
"Your courage and resilience since that tragedy are a moving tribute to those who perished a year ago. Their lives and memory will never be forgotten, and neither will the struggles of those scarred physically and emotionally by the terrible events last year.
"I will always remember my visit in the aftermath of the bombing, my conversations with many of you, and your determination to build a better world for your children.
"Together we must affirm that violence has no place in Northern Ireland's future, and that the day of the gun and the bomb is over once and for all."
President Clinton added: "A new and better future dawned with the Good Friday accord, and I believe that full implementation of the accord is still the foundation upon which a just and inclusive peace will be built in Northern Ireland.
"The people have spoken, and they expect no less of their leaders than an unswerving dedication to build this new reality. Let that be the legacy of Omagh - a renewed commitment on all sides that cooperation will replace conflict, that dialogue will replace diatribe, and that no community on this island will ever again suffer such a terrible loss."
Tony Blair said the whole community in Northern Ireland and across the world had felt moved to reach out to those affected by the bombing in Omagh.
"The pain for many is as yet undiminished, but I assure them that their suffering will not be forgotten," Mr Blair said.
He said he was sure that the community in Omagh faced the weekend "with heavy hearts" - "when all remember the horror of the appalling atrocity on 15 August last year which brought such heartache into the homes of Omagh, and its surrounding villages, and of Buncrana and Spain."
Bertie Ahern said the Omagh bombing, which claimed 29 lives, injured hundreds of people and cruelly shattered the heart of Omagh, was a terrible and utterly appalling atrocity.
Mr Ahern said that, as with previous atrocities, survivors of the bombing would still be suffering from their injuries, the bereaved would still be trying to come to terms with their loss and all those who responded so bravely and with such humanity at the scene would still be haunted by terrible images.
He said: "We were all united by our feelings of sorrow and grief and people everywhere on this island expressed our deepest and sincerest sympathy through words and prayers. Throughout this past year, people the length and breadth of Ireland and in Britain have continued to demonstrate, in many practical ways, their concern and support for all those still suffering the effects of the bombing."
Mr Ahern emphasised that the Irish government would continue to work closely with the British government and the parties in Northern Ireland to bring about a peaceful solution.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0313
Published Date: 14-Aug-99
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