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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">August 31, 2005 <i>(5:30 p.m. EDT)</i><br>
No. 159</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">STATEMENT BY MINISTER PETTIGREW ON IRAQI CONSTITUTIONAL
DEVELOPMENTS</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today issued the following statement
concerning progress made in drafting the Iraqi constitution:</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Canada welcomes the considerable progress made in drafting the Iraqi constitution.
We encourage the negotiating parties to remain constructively engaged in the pursuit of
an inclusive constitution that will lead to a stable and democratic Iraq.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Canada will continue to work with the Iraqi authorities for the reconstruction and
democratic transition of Iraq, as well as for the implementation of an Iraqi constitution
consistent with international standards of human rights, including women’s rights,
gender equality and minority rights.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“We believe that in order to provide a solid basis for national reconciliation, the
constitution must satisfy the aspiration of all Iraqis. The task now lies with the people of
Iraq to exercise their democratic right to vote on the constitution. We encourage all
Iraqis to participate in the referendum scheduled for October 15, 2005.”</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>
<br>
<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/20070221014139/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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