NEWS RELEASES

February 25, 2005 (7:50 p.m. EST)
No. 35

STATEMENT BY MINISTER PETTIGREW ON THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN TEL AVIV

Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew has issued the following statement condemning today's bombing in Tel Aviv, Israel:

"This is a horrible and unconscionable act. Canadians join me in expressing our sincere condolences to the families of the victims. We urge both sides to cooperate in bringing those responsible for this attack to justice.

"Both Ariel Sharon and Mahmoud Abbas have demonstrated great personal and political courage in the steps they have taken toward forging a lasting and meaningful peace in the region. This terrorist act is clearly an attempt to destabilize the important progress toward peace that has been made in recent weeks, and to discourage Israeli and Palestinian leaders from pursuing efforts aimed at ending the conflict.

"Canada stands united with Israelis and Palestinians in their efforts to build an enduring peace. It is important that we all send the signal that this kind of attack will not succeed in derailing this process. This bombing underscores the importance of dismantling the network of terrorism."

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca