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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">December 15, 2006 <i>(4:55 p.m. EST)</i><br>
No. 158</span></span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">CANADA CONCERNED OVER THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY
SITUATION IN SOMALIA</span></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, today issued the following statement on the situation in
Somalia:</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Canada is deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation and rising
tensions in Somalia. We strongly urge both the Transitional Federal Government and
the Union of Islamic Courts to resume peace talks as soon as possible in accordance
with UN Security Council Resolution 1725, and without preconditions.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“It is essential for the parties to settle their differences through negotiated rather than
military means, and to commit themselves to the agreements reached in Khartoum.
This is the best way of achieving lasting peace and security.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“I urge all parties in Somalia to protect civilians and ensure full, safe and unhindered
access by humanitarian workers to people in need, including persons displaced due to
insecurity or flooding. Canada also encourages all countries in the region to support
efforts to bring peace and stability to Somalia.”</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Updated consular information for Somalia can be found at
</span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221012846/http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=269000"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=269000</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000">.</span></span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000">- 30 -</span></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000">Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada<br>
613-995-1874<br>
</span></span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221012846/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000"></span></span></span></p>
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