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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">April 4, 2005 <i>(3:40 p.m. EDT)</i><br>
No. 58</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">CANADA CONTRIBUTES $500,000 TO INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL
COURT FOR DARFUR INVESTIGATIONS</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today announced that Canada will contribute
$500,000 to the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigations in Darfur, Sudan.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Canada is very pleased to announce this contribution from Foreign Affairs Canada’s
Human Security Program to the ICC, to assist with the investigation of crimes
committed in Darfur, Sudan,” said Minister Pettigrew.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">On March 31, 2005, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1593,
referring the situation in Darfur to the ICC. This referral represents a crucial step in
ending the culture of impunity for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by
all parties in the Darfur conflict, and a step toward resolving this conflict. Under
Resolution 1593, the ICC, along with states providing voluntary contributions, must
cover the costs of the Darfur investigation and prosecution.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">In welcoming Resolution 1593, Prime Minister Paul Martin on April 1, 2005, stated that
Canada stands ready to assist the work of the International Criminal Court in whatever
manner is appropriate.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Canada is the first country to announce a voluntary contribution to the ICC to assist with
the Darfur investigations; the decision to contribute follows discussions with the ICC
Prosecutor’s Office. The Human Security Program was recently renewed in the 2005
federal budget as part of new funding for Foreign Affairs Canada peace and security
initiatives.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“For too long the world has watched unspeakable crimes being committed in Darfur,”
added Minister Pettigrew. “With the referral of the situation to the ICC, bringing
perpetrators from all sides to justice is within reach. We hope that other countries will
make similar contributions in order to ensure that the ICC will have all the necessary
resources to carry out this work as effectively and quickly as possible.”</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Canada calls on the Government of Sudan, the Darfur rebel movements and other
parties in the Darfur conflict, as well as on all UN member states, to cooperate fully with
the ICC as it carries out the important mandate provided by the Security Council.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Canada remains committed to working with all parties toward a peaceful resolution to
the Darfur conflict.</span></span></p>
<br>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">- 30 -</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Sébastien Théberge<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
</span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221023241/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000"></span></span></span></p>
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