U.S. Department of State 
96/10/08  Statement: Bombing in Northern Ireland  
Office of the Spokesman  
  
 
 
Press Statement by Nicholas Burns/Spokesman 
October 8, 1996 
 
 
  
                       Bombing in Northern Ireland  
 
 
  
The United States joins other members of the international community,  
and particularly the British and Irish governments, in condemning the  
cowardly, and despicable terrorist attack on Royal Army Headquarters in  
Lisburn, Northern Ireland.  We condemn this type of action, regardless  
of who the perpetrator might be.  We hope that British authorities can  
capture quickly those responsible.  
  
The bombing was especially evil and cowardly; it seems certain that the  
second bomb was placed and timed to kill or maim those who were already  
injured and the medical personnel on the scene.  
  
The United States extends its deepest sympathy to the victims of this  
attack and to their families.  
  
Terrorism, which the United States firmly opposes in all its  
manifestations, cannot shake our support for the Northern Ireland peace  
process, the importance of which grows with each threat to return  
Northern Ireland to the appalling violence which ravaged the province in  
the past.  The United States therefore urges all parties participating  
in the talks at Stormont Castle to remain actively engaged in the  
pursuit of a peaceful future for Northern Ireland, and it calls upon  
loyalist paramilitaries to maintain their cease-fire.