January 28, 2005 (4:20 p.m. EST)
No. 18

CANADA STANDS BEHIND IRAQI PEOPLE
ON EVE OF HISTORIC VOTE

Minister of Foreign Affairs Pierre Pettigrew and International Cooperation Minister Aileen Carroll today offered the Government of Canada’s support to Iraqis on the eve of the upcoming election in Iraq.

“This Sunday marks an important milestone in Iraq’s political transition toward a stable and functioning democracy that is representative of the political will of all Iraqis,” said Minister Pettigrew. “Despite obvious challenges, Iraqis have shown determination and commitment to their electoral process. The Government of Canada encourages all Iraqis to continue this democratic transition by making their voices heard at the polls. Canada looks forward to engaging with the new authorities and working closely with them on the reconstruction effort.”

“The resolve that Iraqis have shown for this process in such a difficult environment is a testament to their belief that democracy is the foundation on which to rebuild their country,” said Minister Carroll. “Canada was one of the first to respond to an appeal from the United Nations Iraq Trust Fund, in August 2004, with an initial pledge of $20 million to support Iraqi elections. The Canadian International Development Agency has also provided up to $7 million in additional elections support to the International Mission for Iraqi Elections (IMIE).”

An assessment group composed of electoral experts, the IMIE was formed through the work of a forum held in Ottawa on December 19 and 20, 2004. Elections Canada has taken on a prominent role in the group’s operations, reflecting its own well-respected experience and expertise in transitional political processes. The IMIE will help build the capacity of Iraq’s electoral authorities throughout the political process of 2005, including the constitutional referendum in October and subsequent national-level elections in December.

With the help of the International Organization for Migration, expatriate Iraqis in 14 countries have been registered to vote in this Sunday’s election. In Canada, nearly 11,000 Iraqis registered to vote during the sign-up period.

For more information on Iraq, please visit http://www.international.gc.ca/middle_east/iraq-en.asp.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca

Andrew Graham

Director of Communications

Office of the Minister of International Cooperation

(819)953-6238

Media Relations Office

Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)

(819) 953-6534

info@acdi-cida.gc.ca