NEWS RELEASES

January 14, 2004 (3:55 p.m. EST) No. 4

GRAHAM CONDEMNS DEADLY TERRORIST ATTACKS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today issued the following statement concerning the deadly terrorist attack at the Erez crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip and the fatal shooting of an Israeli inside the West Bank:

"Canada is shocked by the terrorist attack at Erez and the shooting of an Israeli in the West Bank. Canadians join me in expressing our profound condolences to the families of the victims of these assaults. We are deeply saddened by this latest loss of life.

"It is absolutely imperative that the Palestinian Authority live up to its responsibility to do everything in its power to prevent these kinds of acts as an essential contribution to fulfilling its obligations under the Roadmap. The Palestinian leadership must send an unambiguous signal that such attacks are profoundly unacceptable and can never be justified under any circumstances.

"The Erez crossing is a major point of entry to Israel for Palestinian workers. These terrorist groups are shamelessly destroying the lives of Israelis and of their own people."

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Isabelle Savard

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(613) 995-1874

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