NEWS RELEASES

October 10, 2004 (10:30 a.m. EDT) No. 117

CANADA CONGRATULATES AFGHANISTAN ON FIRST ELECTION

On behalf of the Government of Canada, Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today issued the following statement following the first direct presidential election in Afghanistan's history:

"I congratulate the Afghan Transitional Authority for conducting this historic election. This election represents an important milestone in the country's democratic transition and an impressive achievement of the Afghan people. Canadians are proud to have contributed to this process from the outset, and we are committed to continuing our work with the government and the people of Afghanistan to build a democratic, stable and peaceful country."

International Cooperation Minister Aileen Carroll added, "Canada has supported the Afghan government and people in the country's evolution toward full democracy. The presidential election is a crucial step in Afghanistan's transition toward a democratic, self-sustaining state."

Both ministers expressed strong support for the statement issued by the Joint Electoral Management Body in response to allegations of irregularities made by certain presidential candidates. The statement noted that the electoral process was bound to involve some technical irregularities, given the complexity of organizing elections in Afghanistan.

The Government of Canada trusts that the Afghan authorities and the international community will remain committed to the complaints mechanisms integrated into the electoral process.

"It is also important to remember that the Canadian Forces have made and are still making a significant contribution to international efforts in Afghanistan," noted Defence Minister Bill Graham. "In the past year, Canadian Forces members have been working with the International Security Assistance Force toward securing the Kabul area."

Over 10 million Afghans registered to vote in the election. The Government of Canada has contributed close to $24 million to the democratic process in Afghanistan, including a recent allocation of $3 million to the United Nations Development Programme to help establish and staff safe polling centres, in addition to funding the participation of two Canadians in the Election Support Team of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Approximately 700 Canadian troops are currently in Kabul.

For more information on Afghanistan, see http://www.canada-afghanistan.gc.ca/menu-en.asp.

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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 and International Trade Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca

Andrew Graham
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
(819) 953-6238

Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency
(819) 953-6534
info@acdi-cida.gc.ca

Isabelle Savard
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-3100

Media Liaison Office
Department of National Defence
(613) 996-2353/2354