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<p><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">December 9, 2005 (8:30 p.m. EST)</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">No. <span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">244</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt"></span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">GOVERNMENT OF CANADA STATEMENT ON EXPULSION OF </span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">UNMEE PERSONNEL FROM ERITREA</span><span style="font-size: 14pt"> </span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center">   </p>
<p>The Government of Canada today made the following statement regarding the
expulsion of members of the United Nations Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE)
from Eritrea:</p>
<br>
<p>"Canada is concerned about the December 6 request by the Government of Eritrea that
nationals from Canada, the United States, Russia and the European Union serving in
UNMEE leave Eritrea within 10 days. </p>
<br>
<p>"This decision undermines UNMEE's ability to fulfill its mandate, and therefore
exacerbates the potential for conflict along the Temporary Security Zone.</p>
<br>
<p>"We call on the Government of Eritrea to immediately reverse its December 6 decision
to facilitate the work of UNMEE in the region. We also urge both parties to implement
all elements of UN Security Council Resolution 1640 of November 23 calling for respect
of UNMEE operations and other specific measures by both countries to reduce tension
along the border. </p>
<br>
<p>"Canada is committed to achieving full demarcation of the border between the parties
through diplomatic means. We call on Ethiopia to accept fully the April 2002 Eritrea
Ethiopia Boundary Commission decision without further delay."</p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center">- 30 -</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<br>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Canada</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220184124/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>
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