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<p><font size="+1"><strong>January 31, 2005 <em>(8:15 p.m. EST)</em><br>
No. 20</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>MINISTERS PETTIGREW AND CARROLL CONGRATULATE </strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>IRAQIS ON ELECTION</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Minister of International Cooperation
Aileen Carroll issued the following statement on the recently concluded election in Iraq:</p>
<p>"We wish to offer our heartfelt congratulations to the Iraqi people on their participation
in their recent election, despite the high levels of personal risk involved. The
enthusiasm that Iraqis displayed in exercising their right to vote decisively overcame
violent attempts to disrupt the process.</p>
<p>"This was an important milestone in the transition to democratic self-government, and
an important first step in the democratic processes that will unfold in Iraq throughout
2005. The election shows that a majority of Iraqis see democracy as a path toward a
more stable and prosperous Iraq. </p>
<p>"Canada offers its support to the new Iraqi authorities to foster national reconciliation,
and to ensure that the democratic transition unfolds in the inclusive manner outlined by
the Security Council.</p>
<p>"We were also pleased to hear initial reports from the International Mission for Iraqi
Elections, headed by Canada's Chief Electoral Officer Jean-Pierre Kingsley,
congratulating Iraq's Electoral Commission on having done a superb job in a short
time-frame and under very difficult circumstances."</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Sébastien Théberge<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</p>
<p>Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221012048/http://www.international.gc.ca/">http://www.international.gc.ca</a></p>
<p>Andrew Graham</p>
<p>Director of Communications</p>
<p>Office of the Minister of International Cooperation</p>
<p>(819) 953-6238</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)</p>
<p>(819) 953-6534</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221012048/mailto:info@acdi-cida.gc.ca">info@acdi-cida.gc.ca</a></p>
<p> </p>
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