MEMORY OF THOSE WHO DIED WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN, SAYS US PRESIDENT
Memory of those who died will never be forgotten, says US president
THE memory of those who died in the Omagh bombing and the struggles of all those affected will never be forgotten, the President of the United States has said.
In a letter of support to the people of Omagh, President Bill Clinton said the prayers of all Americans and peace loving people everywhere were with the town as it commemorated the anniversary of the atrocity.
And he said the legacy of Omagh should be that no other community should suffer the same terrible loss.
He said: "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."
President Clinton went on: "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."
He said a new and better future had dawned with the Good Friday Accord, and he believed full implementation of the agreement was still the foundation upon which a just and inclusive peace would be built.
"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," the President said.
He added: "Hillary joins me in expressing our sorrow for what you have lost, and our support for what you are striving to build."
Inspired
Meanwhile, Irish premier, Mr. Bertie Ahern, said the people of Ireland and Britain had been inspired by the example of community spirit and resilience demonstrated by the people of Omagh.
In a message of sympathy and support to the town, Mr. Ahern said the bombing had "cruelly shattered" the heart of Omagh and was a "truly terrible and utterly appalling atrocity".
"On this, the first anniversary, it is right that we remember those form the Omagh and Buncrana districts and from Spain who died, those who suffered horrific injuries, and their grieving families, relatives, friends and neighbours," he said.
"As with previous atrocities, survivors of the bombing will still be suffering from their injuries, the bereaved will still be trying to come to terms with their loss, and all those who responded so bravely and with such humanity at the scene will still be haunted by terrible images."
Mr. Ahern said everyone had been united by their feelings of sorrow and grief, and people everywhere on the island expressed their 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," he said.
"In responding in this way, they have been inspired by the example of community spirit, solidarity and resilience of the people of Omagh themselves, as they bore up bravely to the task of rebuilding their lives and community, while never ceasing to remember the loved ones that they have lost."
Mr. Ahern added: "In the wake of the outrage, the people of Ireland made abundantly clear their revulsion at and rejection of violence. 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."
THE memory of those who died in the Omagh bombing and the struggles of all those affected will never be forgotten, the President of the United States has said.
In a letter of support to the people of Omagh, President Bill Clinton said the prayers of all Americans and peace loving people everywhere were with the town as it commemorated the anniversary of the atrocity.
And he said the legacy of Omagh should be that no other community should suffer the same terrible loss.
He said: "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."
President Clinton went on: "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."
He said a new and better future had dawned with the Good Friday Accord, and he believed full implementation of the agreement was still the foundation upon which a just and inclusive peace would be built.
"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," the President said.
He added: "Hillary joins me in expressing our sorrow for what you have lost, and our support for what you are striving to build."
Inspired
Meanwhile, Irish premier, Mr. Bertie Ahern, said the people of Ireland and Britain had been inspired by the example of community spirit and resilience demonstrated by the people of Omagh.
In a message of sympathy and support to the town, Mr. Ahern said the bombing had "cruelly shattered" the heart of Omagh and was a "truly terrible and utterly appalling atrocity".
"On this, the first anniversary, it is right that we remember those form the Omagh and Buncrana districts and from Spain who died, those who suffered horrific injuries, and their grieving families, relatives, friends and neighbours," he said.
"As with previous atrocities, survivors of the bombing will still be suffering from their injuries, the bereaved will still be trying to come to terms with their loss, and all those who responded so bravely and with such humanity at the scene will still be haunted by terrible images."
Mr. Ahern said everyone had been united by their feelings of sorrow and grief, and people everywhere on the island expressed their 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," he said.
"In responding in this way, they have been inspired by the example of community spirit, solidarity and resilience of the people of Omagh themselves, as they bore up bravely to the task of rebuilding their lives and community, while never ceasing to remember the loved ones that they have lost."
Mr. Ahern added: "In the wake of the outrage, the people of Ireland made abundantly clear their revulsion at and rejection of violence. 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: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0727
Published Date: 19-Aug-99
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