[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.