NEWS RELEASES

November 5, 2004 (3:30 EST) No. 127

MINISTER PETTIGREW CONDEMNS ATTACKS IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew issued the following statement today following the bombings by Ivorian armed forces on positions held by former rebels in Côte d’Ivoire:

“I would like to offer my sympathies to the families of the victims of these acts of violence.

“Canada strongly condemns these bombings and urges the Ivorian government to end them immediately. Such acts severely undermine the peace process in Côte d’Ivoire. We call on all parties to resume political dialogue with a view to a peaceful and lasting resolution of the Ivorian crisis.

“Canada also condemns the attacks carried out in Abidjan against national and foreign media outlets and opposition party headquarters. We remind the Ivorian government of its responsibility to protect all people against such acts of violence.

“We are paying particular attention to the humanitarian situation in Côte d’Ivoire.”

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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