CLINTON IN PEACE PLEA
Clinton in peace plea
Premiers unite in sympathy
The day of the gun and bomb in Northern Ireland is over forever and the Good Friday Agreement is the way to lasting peace, Bill Clinton said yesterday.
The US President, Tony Blair and Irish premier Bertie Ahern all sent messages of sympathy to the people of Omagh to mark this weekend's first anniversary of the bomb which killed 29 people.
"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," said Mr Clinton.
"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.
"A new and better future dawned with the Good Friday accord and full implementation of the accord is still the foundation upon which a just and inclusive peace will be built.
"Let that be the legacy of Omagh, a renewed commitment on all sides that co-operation will replace conflict, and no community on this island will ever again suffer such a terrible loss."
Mr Blair paid tribute to all those who helped in the aftermath of last year's atrocity and the courage of those trying to rebuild their lives.
"The whole community in Northern Ireland, and indeed, across the world, has felt moved to reach out to those affected by the bombing in Omagh," the Prime Minister said.
"The pain for many is as yet undiminished, but I assure them their suffering will not be forgotten.
"I wish for all the community in Omagh and beyond the strength and courage to continue with their already remarkable efforts to rebuild their lives and their community."
Mr Ahern said the people of Ireland had made their revulsion and rejection of violence abundantly clear and his government would work to ensure such an outrage never happened again.
"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," he added.
"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 government will continue to work closely with the British Government and the parties in Northern Ireland to bring about a situation where no other family in these islands or further afield experiences the grief and loss which you have suffered."
Premiers unite in sympathy
The day of the gun and bomb in Northern Ireland is over forever and the Good Friday Agreement is the way to lasting peace, Bill Clinton said yesterday.
The US President, Tony Blair and Irish premier Bertie Ahern all sent messages of sympathy to the people of Omagh to mark this weekend's first anniversary of the bomb which killed 29 people.
"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," said Mr Clinton.
"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.
"A new and better future dawned with the Good Friday accord and full implementation of the accord is still the foundation upon which a just and inclusive peace will be built.
"Let that be the legacy of Omagh, a renewed commitment on all sides that co-operation will replace conflict, and no community on this island will ever again suffer such a terrible loss."
Mr Blair paid tribute to all those who helped in the aftermath of last year's atrocity and the courage of those trying to rebuild their lives.
"The whole community in Northern Ireland, and indeed, across the world, has felt moved to reach out to those affected by the bombing in Omagh," the Prime Minister said.
"The pain for many is as yet undiminished, but I assure them their suffering will not be forgotten.
"I wish for all the community in Omagh and beyond the strength and courage to continue with their already remarkable efforts to rebuild their lives and their community."
Mr Ahern said the people of Ireland had made their revulsion and rejection of violence abundantly clear and his government would work to ensure such an outrage never happened again.
"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," he added.
"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 government will continue to work closely with the British Government and the parties in Northern Ireland to bring about a situation where no other family in these islands or further afield experiences the grief and loss which you have suffered."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/230
Published Date: 14-Aug-99
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