Rice Condemns Assassination of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister
13 August 2005
Secretary of state urges adherence to cease-fire following shooting
The August 12 shooting death of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar is being condemned by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as a “senseless murder” and “vicious act of terror.”
Kadirgamar, 73, was shot dead at his home. Police blamed a rebel group, according to press reports.
Rice, in an August 12 statement, offered her deepest sympathies and condolences to friends, families and colleagues of Kadirgamar, calling him “a man of dignity, honor and integrity.”
The secretary also said his memory should be honored by a rededication to peace and by ensuring the current cease-fire between rebel groups and the government remains in force.
Following is the text of Rice’s statement:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
August 12, 2005
Statement by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
Assassination of Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka
I am shocked and saddened by the assassination of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. This senseless murder was a vicious act of terror, which the United States strongly condemns. Those responsible must be brought to justice.
I offer my deepest sympathies and condolences to Mr. Kadirgamar's family and to his friends and colleagues in Sri Lanka who will miss him greatly.
I last met Foreign Minister Kadirgamar this June. He was a man of dignity, honor and integrity, who devoted his life to bringing peace to Sri Lanka. Together, we must honor his memory by re-dedicating ourselves to peace and ensuring that the Cease-Fire remains in force.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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