NEWS RELEASES
August 3, 2005 (6:30 p.m. EDT)
No. 140
CANADA EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT SITUATION IN MAURITANIA
Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew issued the following statement today regarding
reports from Mauritania that the military has seized control of the capital, Nouakchott,
as well as state radio and television, during the absence of President Maaoya Ould
Sid’Ahmed Taya:
“Canada is always concerned when force is used to change a country’s leadership. We
call on all parties to demonstrate calm and reason during this period of uncertainty, and
expect that the safety of Mauritanian civilians and foreign nationals will be guaranteed.”
Canadians should avoid non-essential travel to Mauritania at this time. If they have not
already done so, Canadians in Mauritania should contact the Canadian Embassy in
Rabat, Morocco, at (011-212) 37-68-74-00. Travel advisory information about
Mauritania is available on the Internet at
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=180000.
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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
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
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