NEWS RELEASES

October 5, 2006 (9:00 p.m. EDT)
No. 116

STATEMENT BY MINISTER MACKAY ON NORTH KOREA NUCLEAR TEST

Speaking in the House of Commons today, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, said that the Government is deeply concerned by North Korea’s recent announcement that it intends to conduct a nuclear test. Mr. MacKay described the statement as “very provocative,” adding that “it is unacceptable to Canada, as it is to the entire international community.”

Pointing out that “Canada has repeatedly called on North Korea to dismantle both its missile and nuclear weapons programs, or risk further international isolation and condemnation,” the Minister confirmed that “we will raise our objections with North Korea every opportunity we get, and we will, again, strongly urge North Korea to return to the six-party talks.” Mr. MacKay noted that Canada is in close contact with its allies regarding this matter.

Canada believes that North Korea’s security, economic and political goals will not be served through such tactics. Rather, these goals are best achieved through the framework of the existing six-party talks aimed at addressing the North Korean nuclear crisis.

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