CANADA CONDEMNS MANCHESTER BOMBING
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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