March 30, 2005 (5:45 p.m. EST)
No. 55

CANADA WELCOMES FURTHER UN ACTION

TO ADDRESS THE CONFLICT IN DARFUR

Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today issued the following statement on the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1591 on Sudan:

“Canada is very pleased with the adoption of this resolution authorizing targeted sanctions against key individuals in the conflict in Darfur. Canada has been actively urging the Security Council to undertake such measures in order to exert further pressure on the parties.

“We are particularly pleased that this resolution establishes a committee to monitor the existing arms embargo and authorizes targeted sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, on key individuals. These sanctions will not undermine the southern peace agreement, nor will they have an impact on the general population.

“I would also like to reiterate Canada’s support for UN Security Council Resolution 1590 on Sudan, adopted on March 24, 2005, which authorizes the establishment of a UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). This peacekeeping mission will support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed on January 9, 2005, between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army, ending the separate and equally devastating civil war in southern Sudan. In the same way that it played an important role in supporting the peace process to end the southern civil war, Canada plans to assist in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

“We will continue to work toward the peaceful resolution of Sudan’s internal conflicts, including in Darfur, using all diplomatic channels, to work with the Sudanese toward long-term peace.”

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