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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">October 25, 2005 <i>(3:40 p.m. EDT)</i><br>
No. 195</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">MINISTER PETTIGREW CONGRATULATES IRAQIS ON
CONSTITUTION RATIFICATION</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
supporting ratification of Iraq’s constitution:</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Canada congratulates the people of Iraq on the ratification of their constitution. We
salute the courage and commitment shown by the large number of Iraqis who voted
under perilous conditions for the establishment of a democratic system in Iraq. </span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“This is a major step in the political transition and reconstruction of Iraq. The new
constitution lays the foundation for a democratic, pluralistic and federal state in Iraq. It
also calls for a process of further constitutional negotiations to consolidate national
reconciliation.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“We call on Iraq’s leaders to reflect upon the significant opposition to the constitution
and to consider ways to address the concerns of those who voted against it. It will be
important to find ways to work together across communal lines to build a stable, unified
and prosperous Iraq.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"> </span></span></p>
<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 style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">- 30 -</span></span></p>
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<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/20070220185835/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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