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Genoa, 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.