8 July 2005
No cause can justify terrorist bombs - Greens

There is no cause important enough to justify the killing and maiming of innocent people, The Green Party says.

"Our hearts go out to those affected by the London terrorist bombings," Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says.

"There can be no cause that would justify such abhorrent acts. We, like the rest of New Zealand, are appalled by the deaths and the terrible injuries inflicted on innocent people," she says.

"It is at times like this that one realises how small this world is. London is close to the heart of many New Zealanders. Many young people travel there as part of their OE and almost all of us know, or know of, someone living there."

Co-Leader Rod Donald says: "We have written to the British High Commission expressing our deepest sympathies to the British people. This was a terrible act of senseless violence that must be condemned by everyone."

"Our thoughts are also with the Lions rugby team and their supporters who are so far from their homes at this time of tragedy.

"I have suggested to the NZRFU that it consider holding a minute's silence at Saturday's game to acknowledge the suffering in London and as a symbol of New Zealand's solidarity at this time of tragedy."

Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Keith Locke has written to the British Green Party expressing the New Zealand Greens' great sadness at the loss of life in the terrorist bombings.

"This was obviously designed to divert the G8 away from its work on poverty and climate change - we hope these terrorists' plans are not successful," he says.

ENDS

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