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<p><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt">March 25, 2005 <i>(11:00 a.m. EST)</i><br>
No. 50</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt">CANADA WELCOMES SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON SUDAN </span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today issued the following statement on the
adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1590 on Sudan:</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">“Canada welcomes this development at the Security Council. We are particularly
pleased that the Security Council Resolution will establish a United Nations Mission in
Sudan to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between
the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army. This
peacekeeping mission, which will comprise 10,000 military personnel, will be critical to
the success of the cease-fire agreement.</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">“While we are pleased that this resolution has put forward concrete measures, Canada
is very disappointed that it does not address impunity for serious international crimes
committed in Darfur. The Government of Sudan, armed militias and rebel groups in
Darfur have committed and continue to commit serious violations of international
human rights and humanitarian law. It is vital that those responsible for these horrific
acts be prosecuted. </span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">“We urge the Security Council to act quickly to refer the situation in Darfur to the
International Criminal Court (ICC). This would represent the best and most realistic
option for ensuring timely accountability for these crimes and deterring further atrocities
in Darfur.</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">“Canada will continue to use all diplomatic channels, including the United Nations, to
urge effective action throughout Sudan, including Darfur.”</span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">- 30 -</span></p>
<br>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">Sébastien Théberge<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
</span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220185056/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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