NEWS RELEASES
January 20, 2006 (7:00 p.m. EST)
No. 5
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA STATEMENT ON IRAQ ELECTIONS
The Government of Canada today made the following statement on the final outcome
of Iraq’s parliamentary elections, held in December 2005:
“The Government of Canada welcomes the conclusion of December’s elections in Iraq,
based on the final results issued today by the Independent Electoral Commission of
Iraq (IECI). Canada encourages the newly elected members of the Council of
Representatives to form an inclusive government representing all segments of Iraqi
society, and to foster national unity and democratic development.
“The final results of the elections are based on the participation of voters in all parts of
Iraq and were validated following an independent and transparent assessment process.
This process was reviewed by the International Mission for Elections in Iraq, which was
led by Elections Canada Chief Electoral Officer Jean-Pierre Kingsley and which issued
a report containing recommendations on strengthening the electoral process in Iraq.
“The Government of Canada congratulates the IECI for its exceptional achievement in
organizing two elections and a referendum within a year, following decades of
dictatorship. Canada will continue to support the establishment of a stable and
democratic Iraq through its $300-million assistance program, and through its active
chairmanship of the Donor Committee of the UN and World Bank international trust
funds for the reconstruction of Iraq.”
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
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