September 03, 2004
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Paul Martin today issued the following statement after developments in the hostage-taking incident in a school in North Ossetia, Russia:

"Canadians are outraged by reports of the barbaric acts of terrorism today in North Ossetia and by the unbelievable cruelty of hostage-takers firing on fleeing children.

I wish to extend my deepest condolences and sympathies on behalf of all Canadians to the many families victimized by these terrible acts. While we are relieved that many of the hostages appear to have been returned to safety, we are deeply saddened by reports of innocent children and adults who have been injured or killed.

When Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew arrived in Moscow on an official visit on the first day of the hostage situation, he immediately conveyed to the Russian people the sympathies of all Canadians and hopes for resolving this crisis.

Today, as Russians and the international community are horrified by these events, I also want to express Canada's steadfast solidarity and continuing cooperation in the global struggle against terrorism."