Group's explanation for bombing is weak

Last week, the Real Irish Republican Army displayed its opposition to last Tuesday's peace agreement by setting off a bomb that killed 28 people.

After finding out that many of those killed were civilians, they apologized to the victims and called for a cease fire. Understandably, their apology did little to assuage the pain of the victims' relatives.

Considering the fact that the bomb was planted in their busy town square, Omagh residents' suspicion is warranted. If the bombers' intention was to attack the British military and not the civilians, why choose a public place as a target?

Perhaps it was not a good idea for the terrorists to apologize for their actions. A better, more believable way to show their desire not to harm women and children would be to not set off the bombs at all.

In Beirut in the 1980s, one terrorist killed himself along with 200 Marines stationed in the barracks. This sort of sacrifice accurately conveys the terrorist's intention.

The RIRA, however, shows its cowardice by hiding, apologizing, and then calling a cease fire in the same way a child calls, "No back!" in a game of tag.