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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">May 31, 2006 <i>(9:40 p.m. EDT)</i></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">No. 58</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">STATEMENT BY MINISTER MACKAY ON THE</span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">U.S. POSITION ON THE IRAN NUCLEAR ISSUE</span></span></p>
<br>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay today issued the following statement regarding
the announcement by the United States on the Iran nuclear issue:</p>
<br>
<p>“Canada welcomes today’s statement by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza </p>
<p>Rice outlining their position on Iran’s nuclear program. We support the U.S. decision to
become a full party to the discussions between the European trio (the United Kingdom,
France and Germany) and Iran, which seek a diplomatic solution to the serious
international concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, if Iran first agrees to resuspend all
uranium enrichment activities and the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, in a full </p>
<p>and verifiable manner.</p>
<br>
<p>“This important step by the United States underscores its commitment to a viable and
lasting diplomatic solution to the issue. U.S. direct participation in the discussions with
Iran will also provide a significant and timely impetus to the efforts to resolve the
nuclear issue to the satisfaction of all parties involved. This is a matter of great concern
to the world community.</p>
<br>
<p>“We call upon Iran to respond positively to this significant development and to the
ongoing efforts of the European trio for a diplomatic solution, which Canada fully
supports.</p>
<br>
<p>“Iran must now decide if it wishes to avail itself of the significant incentives the
European trio and the United States are prepared to offer as part of a diplomatic
settlement. Canada will continue to work in close consultation with the United States,
the European trio and our other G8 partners, together with China and other concerned
countries, in support of a diplomatic solution.”</p>
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<p style="text-align: center">- 30 -</p>
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<br>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221012528/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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