June 15, 1996 No. 114

CANADA CONDEMNS MANCHESTER BOMBING

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy has firmly condemned the bombing at the Arndale Shopping Centre in Manchester, England, earlier today. He extended his sympathy to the many victims and their families.

"Atrocities such as today's attack are abhorrent and should never recur. The Manchester bombing is particularly revolting coming as it does soon after the commencement of Northern Ireland peace talks and against the backdrop of the admission by the Irish Republican Army [IRA] that it was responsible for the murder of a Garda [Irish Police] officer in Adare, Ireland, last week," said Mr. Axworthy.

He added, "Democratic and non-violent means, particularly the peace talks, should be used to achieve peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. The Manchester bombing should not be permitted to deflect the parties from their task of moving the peace process forward. Canada calls on Sinn Fein to go beyond statements and demonstrate its commitment to the peace process by convincing the IRA of the imperative need for unequivocal reinstatement of its ceasefire."

Mr. Axworthy praised the security and medical services on the effective way in which they responded to the bombing. He concluded, "The British authorities should be supported in their search for the perpetrators of this terrorist act."

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