Statement by the Prime Minister

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today extended his deepest sympathies to the Government of Israel, to the families of the schoolgirls killed today at Naharayim and to the people of Israel.

"These school children embodied our hopes for the future of the Middle East, a future in which Arabs and Jews will live in peace. There can be nothing more tragic and incomprehensible than the taking of these young, innocent lives," said Mr. Chrétien.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of continuing the peace process. "We cannot allow violence to prevail. It is our duty to continue the search for peace through dialogue and negotiation," he said.

The school children were on an outing to the Island of Naharayim, also known as the "Island of Peace", on the Jordanian side of the border with Israel, when a Jordanian border guard opened fire on their bus.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555


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