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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">May 12, 2006 <i>(4:00 p.m. EDT)</i><br>
No. 52</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">GOVERNOR GENERAL TO ATTEND SWEARING-IN </span></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">OF HAITIAN PRESIDENT </span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay today announced that at the request of the
Government of Canada, Governor General Michaëlle Jean will travel to Port-au-Prince,
Haiti, to attend the swearing-in of the new Haitian President, on May 14, 2006.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">The Governor General will represent Canada at the inauguration of René Préval, who
was elected President of the Republic of Haiti on February 7, 2006. </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Her Excellency will be in Haiti extending her congratulations on behalf of all Canadians
to newly elected President René Préval and reiterating Canada’s continued
commitment to Haiti,” said Minister MacKay. “In addition, the Governor General will
thank the outgoing interim Prime Minister Gérard Latortue for his government’s
contribution toward the resumption of the democratic process.”</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Canada and Haiti enjoy long-standing relations extending over 100 years and across all
sectors of the two societies. Since 1968, Canada has worked with the Haitian
authorities to help improve living conditions for the Haitian people and to realize their
dreams of a society that is free and democratic, and which upholds the rule of law and
human rights. Haiti is currently Canada’s most important long-term development
assistance recipient in the Americas.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span> </span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">While in Haiti, the Governor General will meet with Canadians who are working there to
build a better future for all Haitians, including those who serve with the UN mission in
Haiti (MINUSTAH), and will also visit Canadian development cooperation projects in the
country.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">- 30 -</span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"> </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
</span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221040912/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>
<br>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000">Frédérique Tsaï Klassen<br>
Rideau Hall Press Office<br>
(613) 993-8158</span></span></span></p>
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