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Statement by the Prime Minister
March 13, 1997
Ottawa, Ontario
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.
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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
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