NEWS RELEASES

October 24, 2005 (3:45 p.m. EDT)
No. 193

MINISTER PETTIGREW CONDEMNS HOTEL BOMBINGS IN BAGHDAD

Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today issued the following statement following bomb attacks against the Palestine and Sheraton hotels in Baghdad:

“On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my condolences to the families of the victims of these atrocious attacks, in which at least 17 people died and several others were injured.”

“Canada strongly condemns such criminal attacks, which have killed scores of innocents in a vain attempt to resist the democratic transition favoured by the vast majority of Iraqis. Canada stands firm on the side of the Iraqi people, and will continue its efforts to mobilize the international community in support of the reconstruction and democratic transition of Iraq.”

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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