NEWS RELEASES

January 13, 2004 (9:50 a.m. EST) No. 2

CANADA AND UNITED STATES REACH NEW CONSULAR UNDERSTANDING

Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today issued the following statement on a new consular understanding reached between Canada and the United States that will ensure mutual respect for passports:

"Following the discussion between Prime Minister Martin and President Bush on December 15, 2003, and building on the subsequent work of officials, I am pleased to confirm that earlier today my counterpart, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, and I exchanged letters outlining a formal understanding concerning the removal of Canadian and U.S. nationals to third countries.

"Under the terms of the new understanding, both countries agree to formal notification and expeditious consultation with one another on such cases as they arise. International law does not oblige countries to consult before deporting nationals to third countries. Canada is now the only country that has such an understanding with the U.S. Thus, this understanding represents an unprecedented step.

"Secretary Powell and I--along with officials from both countries--will monitor closely the understanding to ensure its efficacy in protecting the rights of nationals from both countries."

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Isabelle Savard

Director of Communications

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Media Relations Office

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(613) 995-1874

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