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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">July 28, 2005 <i>(1:35 p.m. EDT)</i><br>
No. 135</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 WELCOMES IRA STATEMENT</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew welcomed today’s commitment by the Irish
Republican Army (IRA) to end its 30 years of armed struggle in Northern Ireland. The
IRA statement calls on its supporters to decommission their weapons and assist in the
development of political and democratic programs through exclusively peaceful means. </span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">The IRA leadership has also authorized a representative to engage with the
Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, headed by Canada’s
former Chief of the Defence Staff General John de Chastelain. This will complete the
process of decommissioning IRA arms by means that are verifiable and will boost public
confidence.<span> </span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Canada has long supported the efforts of all parties to bring peace and reconciliation to
the people of Northern Ireland,” said Minister Pettigrew. “This decision by the IRA is an
unprecedented opportunity to advance the peace process. We are pleased to add our
voice of support to the already strong endorsements given by the governments of the
United Kingdom and Ireland to today’s commitment by the IRA.”</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“We urge the IRA to move quickly to implement all aspects of this decision and all
parties to cooperate in ending violence in Northern Ireland,” added the Minister.
“Canada will continue to support the peace process through financial support to the
International Fund for Ireland and through the vital work of Canadians such as General
de Chastelain, former Justice William Hoyt, former Chief Justice Peter Cory and former
RCMP Assistant Commissioner Al Hutchinson.”</span></span></p>
<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/20070220190126/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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