    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [February 10, 1996]
    [Pages 206-207]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Terrorist Attack in London, United Kingdom
    February 10, 1996

        The President. Good morning. I have a few words to say about
    yesterday's terrorist bombing in London. As all of us know, it injured
    scores of people. Let me begin by saying that I know I speak for all
    Americans who join Hillary and me in praying for those who were hurt and
    for their speedy recovery. We also hope that those responsible for this
    terrible and cowardly act are quickly brought to justice.
        There can be no doubt about the purpose of this attack. This attack
    was aimed at the growing prospects for peace, a just and lasting peace,
    in Northern Ireland. I am deeply concerned by reports that the Irish
    Republican Army has announced an end to the cease-fire. The cease-fire
    and the good will and hard work of the parties to the Irish conflict
    have given the people of Northern Ireland the greatest gift of all, the
    simple blessings of a normal life. Since the cease-fire went into effect
    a year and a half ago, people of all faiths have been able to go about
    their daily lives without the disruption of searches and roadblocks, and
    especially without fear of the bullet and the bomb. We must not turn
    away from that path now.
        I know that the overwhelming majority of the people of Northern
    Ireland, Catholic and Protestant alike, want to stay on the path of
    peace. During my visit there last year I could see for myself that the
    demand for peace was lasting. No one and no organization has the right
    to deny the people of Northern Ireland a peaceful future, and I am
    determined to do all that I can to see that the enemies of peace do not
    succeed.
        Last night I spoke to the British Prime Minister, John Major, to
    express our shock and sadness over this event. I also spoke to the Irish
    Prime Minister, John Bruton. I assured both of them that America would
    continue to be committed to work for a negotiated, secure peace.

    [[Page 207]]

        Let me say again that this terrible incident reminds me of a lesson
    I have learned in working for peace throughout the world in the last 3
    years. The real differences in our world are not between Catholics and
    Protestants, Arabs and Jews, Muslims, Croats, and Serbs; they are
    between those who embrace peace and those who reject it, those who look
    to the future and those who are blinded by the hatreds of the past,
    those who open their arms and those who are determined to keep clenching
    their fists.
        We all have to choose. The people of Northern Ireland have chosen
    peace. They do not deserve to have a small group choose bloodshed and
    violence and wreck the peaceful life they long for. And the people of
    Great Britain do not deserve to have this violence wreaked upon them. We
    will not stop in our efforts until peace has been secured.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:47 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House, prior to his departure for Iowa City, IA.