October 5, 2006 (9:00 p.m. EDT)
No. 116
STATEMENT BY MINISTER MACKAY ON NORTH KOREA NUCLEAR
TEST
Speaking in the House of Commons today, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, said that the
Government is deeply concerned by North Korea’s recent announcement that it intends
to conduct a nuclear test. Mr. MacKay described the statement as “very provocative,”
adding that “it is unacceptable to Canada, as it is to the entire international community.”
Pointing out that “Canada has repeatedly called on North Korea to dismantle both its
missile and nuclear weapons programs, or risk further international isolation and
condemnation,” the Minister confirmed that “we will raise our objections with North
Korea every opportunity we get, and we will, again, strongly urge North Korea to return
to the six-party talks.” Mr. MacKay noted that Canada is in close contact with its allies
regarding this matter.
Canada believes that North Korea’s security, economic and political goals will not be
served through such tactics. Rather, these goals are best achieved through the
framework of the existing six-party talks aimed at addressing the North Korean nuclear
crisis.
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