WORLD LEADERS INSIST BOMB MUST NOT DERAIL PEACE EFFORTS
World leaders insist bomb must not derail peace efforts
THE international community was shocked at the scale of the bomb in Omagh, but urged that it should not be allowed to wreck the peace process.
President Nelson Mandela of South Africa said he was shocked and dismayed at the Northern Ireland bomb blast and called for peace efforts to go ahead.
"On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa and on my own behalf, I would like to express profound shock and utter dismay at the explosion in Omagh, Northern Ireland," Mr Mandela said in a statement.
"Please accept South Africa's deepest sympathy at the lives lost. We mourn with the families of the deceased and pray for a speedy recovery of the injured," he said.
Mr Mandela urged political leaders and parties to continue to strive for peace and "not allow this repulsive act to deter them.
"The overwhelmingly positive results in the recent Irish referendums showed a determined desire for peace rather than conflict and violence.
"So much goodwill and faith should not be lost to the mindless violence of a few," he said.
THE Canadian Prime Minister, Mr Jean Chretien, said Canadians grieved for the families who have lost loved ones and added that "our thoughts and prayers are with the injured.
"The bombing is a contemptible and cowardly assault on the hopes and the dreams of the Irish people for peace. A murderous few who seek to achieve with violence what they could not at the ballot box.
"I have every confidence that this despicable act will not succeed in weakening the peace process. The spirit of the Stormont agreement will win out and Canada will continue strongly to support Prime Minister Blair and Taoiseach Ahern in their efforts to achieve a lasting peace in Northern Ireland."
THE Australian Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, said the bombing was the "ultimate evil" but should not be allowed derail the peace process.
IN A message to the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Robin Cook, German Foreign Minister, Mr Klaus Kinkel, expressed confidence that the bomb attack would not undermine the peace process.
THE President of the EU's Council of Minister, Austria's Mr Wolfgang Schuessel, condemned this "act of terrorism which went against the hopes of the people of Northern Ireland".
THE Mexican President, Mr Ernesto Zedillo, called on the international community to hunt down the bombers who were attempting to deny peace to the population of Northern Ireland.
THE Dutch Prime Minister, Mr Wim Kok, said: "We are fully behind your brave endeavours in seeking peace in Northern Ireland."
THE French President, Mr Jacques Chirac, said: "I am convinced that this odious act will not put the peace process for which you have worked so hard in question," while the French Prime Minister, Mr Lionel Jospin, paid homage to the democratic forces who had broken with violence. "I am convinced that they will know how to continue to pursue the process started under the UK government's guidance and consolidate peace which the population wants so much."
Michael Foley
THE international community was shocked at the scale of the bomb in Omagh, but urged that it should not be allowed to wreck the peace process.
President Nelson Mandela of South Africa said he was shocked and dismayed at the Northern Ireland bomb blast and called for peace efforts to go ahead.
"On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa and on my own behalf, I would like to express profound shock and utter dismay at the explosion in Omagh, Northern Ireland," Mr Mandela said in a statement.
"Please accept South Africa's deepest sympathy at the lives lost. We mourn with the families of the deceased and pray for a speedy recovery of the injured," he said.
Mr Mandela urged political leaders and parties to continue to strive for peace and "not allow this repulsive act to deter them.
"The overwhelmingly positive results in the recent Irish referendums showed a determined desire for peace rather than conflict and violence.
"So much goodwill and faith should not be lost to the mindless violence of a few," he said.
THE Canadian Prime Minister, Mr Jean Chretien, said Canadians grieved for the families who have lost loved ones and added that "our thoughts and prayers are with the injured.
"The bombing is a contemptible and cowardly assault on the hopes and the dreams of the Irish people for peace. A murderous few who seek to achieve with violence what they could not at the ballot box.
"I have every confidence that this despicable act will not succeed in weakening the peace process. The spirit of the Stormont agreement will win out and Canada will continue strongly to support Prime Minister Blair and Taoiseach Ahern in their efforts to achieve a lasting peace in Northern Ireland."
THE Australian Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, said the bombing was the "ultimate evil" but should not be allowed derail the peace process.
IN A message to the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Robin Cook, German Foreign Minister, Mr Klaus Kinkel, expressed confidence that the bomb attack would not undermine the peace process.
THE President of the EU's Council of Minister, Austria's Mr Wolfgang Schuessel, condemned this "act of terrorism which went against the hopes of the people of Northern Ireland".
THE Mexican President, Mr Ernesto Zedillo, called on the international community to hunt down the bombers who were attempting to deny peace to the population of Northern Ireland.
THE Dutch Prime Minister, Mr Wim Kok, said: "We are fully behind your brave endeavours in seeking peace in Northern Ireland."
THE French President, Mr Jacques Chirac, said: "I am convinced that this odious act will not put the peace process for which you have worked so hard in question," while the French Prime Minister, Mr Lionel Jospin, paid homage to the democratic forces who had broken with violence. "I am convinced that they will know how to continue to pursue the process started under the UK government's guidance and consolidate peace which the population wants so much."
Michael Foley
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH TIMES
Ref: IT/031
Published Date: 17-Aug-98
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.