News Release

Canadian Forces Officer Deploys in Support of United Nations Representative in Iraq

NR-04.073 - October 4, 2004

OTTAWA – A Canadian Forces senior officer deployed on October 2, to serve with the United Nations (UN) as an advisor for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in Iraq.

Lieutenant-Colonel Alan Smith, currently employed as a Canadian Forces Attaché with the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff in Washington, D.C., will fill the post for one year. The deployment of Lt.-Col. Smith with the UN is termed Operation IOLAUS .

The SRSG in Iraq is Mr. Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, from Pakistan. Lt.-Col. Smith will be part of an international team who will advise the SRSG on matters affecting the UN in Iraq.

The mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) includes assisting in the organization of elections and drafting of a new constitution, and coordinating various humanitarian operations.

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