Minister expresses outrage at latest violence in Iraq
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D. expressed his sense of outrage at today's violent incidents in Iraq in which at least nine people were killed in a suicide bomb attack and a Spanish diplomat, Jose Antonio Bernal Gomez, was shot outside his home in Baghdad. The Minister offered his condolences to the families of those killed in the suicide bomb attack and his hope for a full and speedy recovery to the injured. He also offered his condolences to Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio, and the family of Mr. Bernal.
The Minister said “These latest incidents highlight the urgency of re-establishing security and stability in Iraq. I strongly urge the members of the UN Security Council to work together to reach agreement on the way forward. It is essential that the UN be given a central role in the reconstruction process. There must be a credible timetable for the handing over of sovereignty to the Iraqi people.”
He continued “It is in the interest of all to see the earliest possible restoration of Iraq to the international community under a representative government. The killing of policemen whose job it is to assure a normal secure life for the Iraqi people is a deliberate attempt to disrupt the political process leading to the transfer of sovereignty.”
He said “the death of Mr. Bernal is an outrageous terrorist act. Attacks on internationally protected persons are evil acts of terror which must be universally condemned. These acts must not deter the international community from assisting the people of Iraq. We must all continue to do what we can to alleviate the difficulties of the Iraqi people and restore stability to Iraq”.
