EUHR Solana condemns attack on Al-Askari Holy Shrine in Samarra

Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), issued the statement below following the bombing of the Al-Askari Holy Shrine in Samarra and other attacks against mosques in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq:

"I firmly condemn yesterday's bomb attack against the Al-Askari Holy Shrine in Samarra. At the same time, I strongly condemn the random killings and the attacks against mosques in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq.

These actions are clearly destined to undermine the process of rebuilding Iraq. There must be an end to the vicious circle of violence. Violence must stop in Iraq now. I strongly urge all parties to allow the process of forming a government to continue peacefully and build on a multi-Confessional and peaceful society.

The Iraqi people should be able to live together in an environment based upon the principles of freedom, tolerance and mutual respect."

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• EUHR Solana meets with Mr Juan Méndez, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide (22/3/2006)
• EU External Relations Council Conclusions on Iraq (27/2/2006)
• Declaration by the EU Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the bombing of the Imam Ali-Hadi mosque in Samarra  (24/2/2006)
• EU Council Conclusions - Iraq (30/1/2006)
• EUHR Solana on Palestinian Elections (26/1/2006)
• EUHR Solana to visit New York and Washington DC (16/1/2006)
• EUHR Solana welcomes announcements by Israeli and Palestinian leaders on Palestinian elections  (15/1/2006)