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<p><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">January 9, 2005 <i>(4:45 p.m. EST)</i><br>
No. 2</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span> </span></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">CANADA APPLAUDS SETTLEMENT OF<br>
SOUTHERN SUDAN CIVIL WAR</span></span></p>
<br>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and International Cooperation Minister
Aileen Carroll today applauded the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement
ending the decades-long civil war in southern Sudan.</p>
<br>
<p>“The peace settlement is a major accomplishment that marks a successful conclusion
to a very difficult process,” said Minister Pettigrew. “However, peace in Sudan will not
be complete until the crisis in Darfur is resolved. Canada once again calls on the parties
to this conflict to respect their commitments and put an end to the terrible violence in
Darfur.”<span style="font-size: 10pt"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif"></span></span></p>
<br>
<p>“The signing of the peace agreement should help create a more stable environment for
those who are affected by this conflict and for the humanitarian workers who deliver
much-needed aid,” said Minister Carroll. “We will continue to contribute to initiatives that
support long-term peace in the region.”</p>
<br>
<p>Senator Mobina Jaffer, Canada’s Special Envoy for Peace in Sudan, represented
Canada at the signing ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya. “Peace has been agreed upon in
this ravaged area, but the hard work begins now,” said Senator Jaffer. “We hope the
parties signing the agreement will reach out to all groups to make this peace
broad-based and durable.”</p>
<br>
<p>Both ministers and Senator Jaffer acknowledged the contribution of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which sponsored the peace talks, and
the invaluable efforts of the Government of Kenya in hosting the talks.</p>
<br>
<p>This agreement is critical, not only because it ends the civil war that has claimed
millions of lives, but also because its provisions have implications for all of Sudan. The
elements of the agreement that address wealth- and power-sharing should have a
positive impact on the talks brokered by the African Union to end the conflict in Darfur.</p>
<br>
<p>The Government of Canada has for over 20 years worked to address Sudan’s
underlying political problems through vigorous diplomatic efforts. Since 2003, Canada
has contributed over $40 million in humanitarian assistance to Sudan through the
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), for the protection of those
affected by the conflict and support for peacebuilding efforts. Canada has also
supported the peace talks led by the IGAD.</p>
<br>
<p>More information on Canada’s efforts to address the conflict in Sudan can be found on
Foreign Affairs Canada’s Web site at
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221012344/http://www.international.gc.ca/canadasudan/menu-en.asp"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca/canadasudan/menu-en.asp</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/20070221012344/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>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">France Bureau<br>
Press Secretary<br>
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation<br>
(819) 953-6238</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Media Relations Office<br>
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)<br>
(819) 953-6534<br>
</span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221012344/mailto:info@acdi-cida.gc.ca"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">info@acdi-cida.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"></span></p>
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