Statement by the Press Secretary on the Terrorist Bombing in the Dockland District in London

10 February, 1996

1. After 7 p.m. on February 9 in the U.K. (Japan time: after 4 a.m. on February 10), terrorist bombing occurred in the Dockland office district in the eastern part of London. No culprit has been identified so far, but regardless of who has committed this act and for what reason, Japan is firmly opposed to any acts of terrorism. This terrorist bombing is deplorable.
   
   
2. Maintaining its stance of hoping for a peaceful solution of the Northern Ireland problem, Japan has highly valued the efforts made by the governments of the U.K. and Ireland so far. Japan hopes that such efforts will not be interrupted by the terrorist bombing and will be continued by the parties concerned.