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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">May 22, 2005</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">10:00 p.m. EDT</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">No. 93<span> </span></span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">CANADA TO PARTICIPATE IN</span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">AFRICAN UNION PLEDGING CONFERENCE </span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">FOR THE AFRICAN UNION MISSION IN SUDAN</span></span></p>
<br>
<br>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today announced plans for Canada’s participation
in the Pledging Conference for the African Union (AU) Mission in Sudan (AMIS), which the
Chairperson of the African Union Commission has scheduled for May 26, 2005 in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia. The Conference will be co-chaired by United Nations Secretary-General
Kofi Annan.</p>
<br>
<p>Ambassador Robert Fowler, the Prime Minister’s Personal Representative for Africa and
Head of the Special Advisory Team for Darfur, will represent Canada at this Conference,
along with Senator Romeo Dallaire. Also included will be representatives from the AU,
including Sudan, as well as other AU international partners, such as the European Union
and the United States.</p>
<br>
<p>The AU has invited Canada and other international partners to attend this meeting to
discuss how best to respond to the AU’s April 28 appeal for additional financial, logistical
and material support, which is required to strengthen and increase AMIS from its current
level of 3,200 to more than 7,700 African military and police personnel. </p>
<br>
<p>“Canada welcomes the invitation by the AU to participate in this Conference,” said Mr.
Pettigrew. “We hope that the May 26 Conference will encourage other partners in the
international community to respond to the AU’s call for the additional support required for
AMIS to be able to effectively implement its mandate.”</p>
<br>
<p>Minister Pettigrew discussed this conference with Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa
Osman Ismail in a telephone conversation on May 21, which followed up on Prime Minister
Paul Martin’s May 11 discussion with Sudanese President al-Bashir about Canada’s offer
of additional support for AMIS.</p>
<br>
<p>“Minister Ismail and I had an excellent conversation last night, during which we agreed to
work closely together to ensure that any support provided by Canada will meet the needs of
the AU and Sudan,” stated Minister Pettigrew.“ The Canadian-hosted Summit in
Kananaskis in 2002 and subsequent G8 meetings clearly affirmed the principle that African
governments and organizations must lead in addressing African peace, security and
development challenges. Since Kananaskis, Canada has committed hundreds of millions of
dollars in support to that end. The recent International Policy Statement emphasized our
commitment to this approach, and this latest offer of assistance reflects Canada’s
commitment to continue and strengthen such cooperation with the AU and Sudan.”</p>
<br>
<p>This approach also builds on existing assistance provided through Canada’s Action Plan for
Africa, as well as our humanitarian and peacebuilding support in Sudan. “Canada continues
to be a strong supporter of efforts by the AU to enhance security in Sudan,” said Minister
for International Cooperation Aileen Carroll. “Humanitarian relief efforts require security to
be effective.”</p>
<br>
<p>On May 12, Prime Minister Martin announced up to $198 million in additional humanitarian
aid and increased assistance for AMIS in support of international efforts toward peace and
stability in the Darfur region of Sudan. He also announced the creation of a special advisory
team, composed of Ambassador Robert Fowler, Senator Romeo Dallaire and Senator
Mobina Jaffer (Canada’s Special Envoy for Peace in Sudan). This team will work with the
Sudanese government, the AU and the international community to focus Canada’s efforts
and resources toward supporting the Darfur peace process. </p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center">- 30 -</p>
<br>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<br>
<p>Sébastien Théberge</p>
<p>Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851<span> </span></p>
<br>
<p>Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220185723/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>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Andrew Graham</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Director of Communications</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>
<br>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Media Relations Office<br>
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)<br>
(819) 953-6534<br>
</span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220185723/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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