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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">August 3, 2005 <i>(6:30 p.m. EDT)</i></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">No. 140</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">CANADA EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT SITUATION IN MAURITANIA</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"></span></span></p>
<br>
<p>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: </p>
<br>
<p>“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.”</p>
<br>
<p>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
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220184615/http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=180000"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=180000</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000">.</span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #000000">- 30 -</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Sébastien Théberge<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
</span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220184615/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"></span></p>
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