NEWS RELEASES

January 31, 2005 (8:15 p.m. EST)
No. 20

MINISTERS PETTIGREW AND CARROLL CONGRATULATE

IRAQIS ON ELECTION

Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Minister of International Cooperation Aileen Carroll issued the following statement on the recently concluded election in Iraq:

"We wish to offer our heartfelt congratulations to the Iraqi people on their participation in their recent election, despite the high levels of personal risk involved. The enthusiasm that Iraqis displayed in exercising their right to vote decisively overcame violent attempts to disrupt the process.

"This was an important milestone in the transition to democratic self-government, and an important first step in the democratic processes that will unfold in Iraq throughout 2005. The election shows that a majority of Iraqis see democracy as a path toward a more stable and prosperous Iraq.

"Canada offers its support to the new Iraqi authorities to foster national reconciliation, and to ensure that the democratic transition unfolds in the inclusive manner outlined by the Security Council.

"We were also pleased to hear initial reports from the International Mission for Iraqi Elections, headed by Canada's Chief Electoral Officer Jean-Pierre Kingsley, congratulating Iraq's Electoral Commission on having done a superb job in a short time-frame and under very difficult circumstances."

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

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(613) 995-1874
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Andrew Graham

Director of Communications

Office of the Minister of International Cooperation

(819) 953-6238

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Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)

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