NEWS RELEASES
CANADA RE-ESTABLISHES DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH AFGHANISTAN
January 25, 2002 (9:15 a.m. EST) No. 6
CANADA RE-ESTABLISHES DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
WITH AFGHANISTAN
John Manley, Deputy Prime Minister, and Bill Graham, Foreign Affairs Minister, today announced that Canada has re-established diplomatic relations with Afghanistan following an exchange of diplomatic notes between Canada and the
Afghan Interim Administration. The Deputy Prime Minister is in Afghanistan today, to meet with officials of the Interim
Administration, discuss upcoming challenges and assess the situation on the ground first-hand. The visit is part of a nine-day trip to the region by Mr. Manley that included stops in Pakistan and India.
"The re-establishment of diplomatic ties with Afghanistan underscores Canada's support for the Interim Administration and
our commitment to continue working closely with officials in Kabul to rebuild the country and improve the lives of its
citizens," said Mr. Manley. "We hope that the Interim Administration will quickly lay the foundations for representative
government, the rule of law, respect for human rights and sound economic policies."
"Canada believes that the Interim Administration offers the best hope to end the civil conflict, oppressive rule and suffering
that the Afghan people have endured for so long," said Mr. Graham. "The re-establishment of diplomatic ties will further
enhance communication and cooperation between Canada and Kabul at a time when coordination between national and
international partners is crucial."
The Ministers noted that there are serious challenges ahead for the Interim Administration, including the need to overcome
ethnic divisions,combat corruption, curtail opium production and rebuild the economy.
Canada severed diplomatic relations with Afghanistan in 1979 following the Soviet invasion of that country. Ottawa did
not establish diplomatic relations with any of the regimes that have held power since the Soviet withdrawal in 1989.
Canada's High Commissioner to Pakistan, Konrad Sigurdson, who is resident in Islamabad, will have concurrent
accreditation to Afghanistan.
Canada has provided Afghanistan with $160 million in humanitarian assistance since 1990, $16 million of which was
disbursed after September 11, 2001. At the Tokyo Conference on Reconstruction in Afghanistan on January 21 and 22,
International Cooperation Minister Susan Whelan pledged a further $100 million for humanitarian aid and reconstruction
assistance in Afghanistan.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Jennifer Sloan
Director of Communications
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
(613) 952-4900
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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