NEWS RELEASES

August 31, 2004 (4:20 p.m. EDT) No. 99

MINISTER PETTIGREW CONDEMNS TWIN TERRORIST ATTACKS IN BEERSHEBA, ISRAEL

Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today issued the following statement concerning the deadly terrorist attacks in Beersheba, the failed attempt to infiltrate a bomber into Israel from Gaza and the Palestinian Authority’s security responsibilities under the Roadmap for Peace:

“I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Government of Israel and to all Israelis, in particular to the families of those killed. We all wish the injured a prompt recovery.

“Resorting to terrorism not only is inhuman and criminal, but it is holding back all Palestinians from their aspirations to peace and statehood. I call on every Palestinian to reject terrorism and to seek an end to the conflict through a negotiated settlement. The Palestinian Authority has condemned the bombing, but this is not enough. It must immediately take meaningful steps to prevent violent acts against Israeli civilians, to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism and to restore law and order in the territories under its control.

“Canada believes that Israel’s proposed withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and from four isolated West Bank settlements offers an opportunity to return to the Roadmap implementation. I encourage both sides to collaborate to that end.”

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