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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">November 7, 2005 <i>(3:55 p.m. EST)</i><br>
No. 209</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 ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR WEST AFRICAN
PEACEKEEPING TRAINING SCHOOL</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today announced $500,000 in funding for the
Peacekeeping School in Bamako, Mali, with the possibility of another $500,000 to be
delivered in the new year. The school provides peacekeeping training in both English
and French for Africans who will partake in peace support operations.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“There is a proven and growing demand for this type of capacity building in Africa,” said
Minister Pettigrew. “This school equips Africans to conduct successful peace support
missions across the continent. The training they receive also addresses a host of
human security areas, including the prevention of sexual violence, the understanding of
gender issues, and the proper treatment of displaced persons and vulnerable
populations.”</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Canada will contribute up to $1 million to a fund created by the Government of France,
which will lead a group of international partners in the construction and establishment of
a new school facility. The school is currently housed temporarily within the Malian
Defence College in Koulikoro. The move from Koulikoro to Bamako will triple the
capacity of the institution. </span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Canada has been a principal partner of France since the inauguration in 1999 of the
Peacekeeping School in Zambakro, Côte d’Ivoire—a collaboration that continues in
Mali. Since 1999, notably via the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, Canada has made a
significant contribution to course curricula delivered by the Peacekeeping School. </span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Canada has been a key partner in strengthening the capacity of peacekeeping training
schools in Africa, which is vital to increasing the capability and conduct of military,
police, and civilian groups taking part in peace support missions. Canada’s contribution
will come from Foreign Affairs Canada and supports Canada’s commitment to the G8
Global Peace Operations Initiative. The initiative was first introduced at the 2004 G8
Sea Island Summit in and reaffirmed at the July 2005 Gleneagles G8 Summit in
Scotland. </span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">The governments of Canada and Mali share many values and concerns on issues
related to human security. Both countries are members of the Human Security Network,
and Mali is also one of 25 development partners identified in Canada’s International
Policy Statement. Bilateral relations between Canada and Mali were strengthened by
the recent visit of the President of Mali, Amadou Toumani Touré, in May 2005, during
which he discussed topics of mutual interest with Prime Minister Paul Martin, including
peace and security in Africa.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is
therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.</span></span></p>
<br>
<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">James Christoff<br>
Press Secretary<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/20070221022634/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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