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<p><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">June 23, 2006 <i>(10:00 a.m. EDT)</i><br>
No. 71</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 INCLUSION OF
PALESTINIAN AND ISRAELI NATIONAL SOCIETIES INTO RED CROSS
AND RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt"></span></p>
<br>
<p>The Honourable Peter MacKay, Foreign Affairs Minister and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, today made the following statement welcoming the
recent decision of the 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent to admit the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the Israeli national society
Magen David Adom into the Movement:</p>
<br>
<p>“Canada welcomes the new membership of both the Palestine Red Crescent Society
and the Israeli national society Magen David Adom into the oldest international
humanitarian institution, and one of the most effective.</p>
<br>
<p>“With the entry of both entities into the Movement, and their mutual cooperation, the
needs of both Palestinian and Israeli civilians can be more effectively met. Civilians on
both sides will benefit from greater access to emergency services and humanitarian
protection.”</p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center">- 30 -</p>
<br>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<br>
<p>Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221012709/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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