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<p><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">March 29, 2005 <i>(4:40 p.m. EST)</i><br>
No. 51</span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">CANADA EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES </span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">FOLLOWING EARTHQUAKE IN INDONESIA</span></span></p>
<br>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Minister for International Cooperation
Aileen Carroll today expressed condolences to the families and friends of the victims of
the earthquake that occurred yesterday north of the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. </p>
<br>
<p>“On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to express my deepest sympathies for the loss
of life and the destruction caused by this earthquake,” said Minister Pettigrew. “Our
Embassy in Jakarta is monitoring the situation closely and is in contact with Canadians
located in the affected areas.”</p>
<br>
<p>There are no Canadian injuries to date, but a number of Indonesian casualties have
been reported on the islands of Nias and Simeulue.</p>
<br>
<p>“I was deeply saddened to learn that communities already hit hard by last December’s
tsunamis are again victims of another devastating natural disaster,” said Minister
Carroll. “We will continue to be in close contact with international relief agencies
present on the ground as they assess the needs of those affected. Canada remains
ready to respond.”</p>
<p style="text-align: center">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<br>
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<td width="50%" valign="top"><p>Sébastien Théberge<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</p>
</td>
<td width="50%" valign="top"><p>Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221010852/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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<td width="50%" valign="top"><p><span style="color: #000000">France Bureau</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Press Secretary</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Office of the Minister of International
Cooperation</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000">(819) 953-6238</span></p>
</td>
<td width="50%" valign="top"><p><span style="color: #000000">Media Relations Office</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Canadian International Development
Agency (CIDA)</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000">(819) 953-6534</span></p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221010852/mailto:info@acdi-cida.gc.ca"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">info@acdi-cida.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"></span></p>
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