NEWS RELEASES

July 27, 2005 (4:35 p.m. EDT)
No. 134

CANADA CONDEMNS ASSASSINATION OF ALGERIAN DIPLOMATS IN IRAQ

Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today issued the following statement regarding the assassination of two Algerian diplomats in Baghdad, Iraq:

“Canada strongly condemns today’s assassination of the two representatives of the Algerian government. Those who committed these killings acted out of cowardice. We deplore the immorality of those who resort to such acts of violence, expressly aimed at innocent people.

“Algeria has lost two courageous diplomats and we would like to extend our sincere condolences to the families of Ali Belaroussi and Azzedine Belkadi, as well as to the Government of Algeria.”

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca