21 July 2001

G-8 Issues Statements on Violence and the Death at Summit

The Group of Eight issued the following two documents on the violent demonstrations, injuries and the death during the first day of their annual Summit, held this year July 20-22 in Genoa, Italy.

(begin text of statement issued July 21)

Statement By The G8 Leaders
Genoa, Italy
July 21 2001

We the leaders of the G8 express our sorrow and regret following the death in Genoa yesterday.

We have always respected people's right to legitimate protest. We recognise and praise the role that peaceful protest and argument have played, for example in putting issues like debt relief on the international agenda. But we condemn firmly and absolutely the violence overflowing into anarchy of a small minority that we have seen at work here in Genoa and at recent international meetings.

It is of vital importance that democratically elected leaders, legitimately representing millions of people can meet to discuss areas of common concern. We are firmly determined to carry on our dialogue with the representatives of civil society. For our part we will continue to focus on the issues that matter most to our people and to the wider world such as the economy, jobs, trade and help for the poorest parts of the world, devoting special attention to Africa. Yesterday evening, we dedicated a working session to Africa together with the Secretary-General of the UN and representatives of developing countries. For all these reasons, our commitment and our work goes on.

(end text)

(begin text of communique issued July 20)

Communiqué
Genoa, Italy
July 20 2001

We, the Leaders of the Countries participating in the meeting in Genoa on the fight against poverty in the world, have learnt with grief that a human life was lost as we were discussing the measures to be taken in practice as a result of our initiative.

We firmly condemn all forms of violence and we launch an appeal to those who will still be meeting peacefully because their yearning for justice and solidarity in the world may set an example and serve to isolate the troublemakers.