NEWS RELEASES

May 20, 2006 (12:25 p.m. EDT)
No. 54

MINISTER MACKAY WELCOMES NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT

Foreign Affairs Minister and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Peter MacKay today made the following statement welcoming the Iraqi Council of Representatives’ endorsement of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s proposed cabinet:

“This new government embodies the strong commitment to democracy demonstrated by the people of Iraq throughout the political transition. Now Iraqis have their first democratically elected government with a full-term mandate since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s dictatorial regime. This is a remarkable accomplishment considering the decades of dictatorship inflicted upon Iraqis and the attempts by insurgents to derail Iraq’s democratization.

“We are pleased that the cabinet is composed of highly motivated people dedicated to building a united and democratic Iraq. There is no greater honour or duty than to represent the people who have put their faith in the democratic process. We wish Prime Minister al-Maliki and his government success in implementing the new constitution and establishing inclusive and efficient governing institutions. Canada looks forward to working with the national unity government of Iraq and will support its efforts to provide security and prosperity to all Iraqis.”

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