VIOLENCE MUST HAVE NO PLACE IN YOUR FUTURE
Violence must have no place in your future' - Clinton
AMERICAN President Bill Clinton paid tribute to the courage and resilience of those affected by the bomb last year.
In a message to the people of Omagh and surrounding districts, the President also called on politicans to make the Good Friday Agreement work.
In a letter from the White House, Mr Clinton told the people of the town: "The prayers of all Americans and of peace-loving people everywhere are with you and your families.
"Your courage and resilience 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 of last year," he said.
He said that the determination of the people to build a better future for their children is something he will always remember.
"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 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," he said.
He expressed his desire that the legacy of Omagh should be "a renewed commitment" on all sides that co-operation will replace conflict, that dialogue will replace diatribe, and that no community on this island will ever again suffer such a terrible loss.
"Hillary joins me in expressing our sorrow for what you have lost and our support for what you are striving to build."
TAOISEACH
Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern also sent a letter to Omagh in which he said: "On this, the first anniversary, it is right that we remember those from the Omagh and Buncrana districts and from Spain who died, those who suffered horrific injuries and their grieving families, relatives and friends and neighbours.
"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. 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 praised the people of Omagh's sense of community spirit, solidarity and resilience and the way in which they faced the task of rebuilding their lives and community, while remembering the loved ones that they lost.
He concluded his message by saying: "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."
AMERICAN President Bill Clinton paid tribute to the courage and resilience of those affected by the bomb last year.
In a message to the people of Omagh and surrounding districts, the President also called on politicans to make the Good Friday Agreement work.
In a letter from the White House, Mr Clinton told the people of the town: "The prayers of all Americans and of peace-loving people everywhere are with you and your families.
"Your courage and resilience 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 of last year," he said.
He said that the determination of the people to build a better future for their children is something he will always remember.
"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 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," he said.
He expressed his desire that the legacy of Omagh should be "a renewed commitment" on all sides that co-operation will replace conflict, that dialogue will replace diatribe, and that no community on this island will ever again suffer such a terrible loss.
"Hillary joins me in expressing our sorrow for what you have lost and our support for what you are striving to build."
TAOISEACH
Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern also sent a letter to Omagh in which he said: "On this, the first anniversary, it is right that we remember those from the Omagh and Buncrana districts and from Spain who died, those who suffered horrific injuries and their grieving families, relatives and friends and neighbours.
"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. 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 praised the people of Omagh's sense of community spirit, solidarity and resilience and the way in which they faced the task of rebuilding their lives and community, while remembering the loved ones that they lost.
He concluded his message by saying: "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: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0574
Published Date: 19-Aug-99
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