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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">February 3, 2005 <i>(2:00 p.m. EST)</i><br>
No. 23</span></span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">MINISTER PETTIGREW EXTENDS CONDOLENCES ON </span></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">DEATH OF GEORGIAN PRIME MINISTER</span></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today issued the following statement upon
news of the death of Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania of Georgia:</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">“It was with a great sense of sadness that I learned earlier today of the death of Prime
Minister Zurab Zhvania. </span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">“In his brief tenure as Georgia’s Prime Minister, he has served his country through
many difficult political and economic challenges. His commitment to Georgia and its
people has long been recognized. Mr. Zhvania's contribution to the peaceful transfer of
power in 2004 and his help in advancing relations with Georgia’s regions have
enhanced stability in Georgia and the entire region.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">“On behalf of the government and all Canadians, I would like to extend my country's
deepest sympathies to Mr. Zhvania’s family and the people of Georgia.”</span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">- 30 -</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">Sébastien Théberge</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">Director of Communications</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">(613) 995-1851</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">Media Relations Office</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">Foreign Affairs Canada</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">(613) 995-1874</span></p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221013223/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="color: #000000"></span></span></p>
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