NEWS RELEASES

August 19, 2004 (3:30 EDT) No. 95

MINISTER PETTIGREW EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER

CONTINUING SETTLEMENT GROWTH IN WEST BANK

Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today issued the following statement concerning Israel’s authorization of the construction of over a thousand new housing units in settlements within the West Bank:

“Canada is very concerned by Israel’s decision. It contravenes international law and goes against the Quartet’s Road Map for peace in the Middle East, agreed to by the parties, which requires the freezing of all settlement activity.

“Final status issues such as land and borders can only be resolved through a negotiated agreement between the parties. The deliberate expansion of settlements in the occupied territories hinders the prospect for achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

“Canada therefore urges Israel and the Palestinian Authority to deliver on their Road Map obligations in the respective areas of freezing settlement activity and making security reforms, and to take clear steps to demonstrate their commitment to the Road Map’s implementation.”

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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