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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>January 30, 2004 <em>(6:45 p.m. EST)</em> No. 16</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>GRAHAM WELCOMES SOMALI TRANSITIONAL CHARTER</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today welcomed the signing on January 29 of the
Transitional Federal Charter for Somalia. The agreement outlines the structures for a
federal administration, with an interim parliament in which all major participating Somali
clans will be equally represented.</p>
<p>"The people of Somalia have taken a major step forward in establishing their own
framework for peace and development in their war-torn country," said Minister Graham.
"The end of military conflict will permit the rehabilitation of Somalia."</p>
<p>The agreement was signed by all major Somali faction leaders, with the exception of
Somaliland, as well as by representatives of Somali civil society. It represents the first
broad-based step toward a functioning central government in Somalia since the fall of
the Siad Barré regime in 1991.</p>
<p>Minister Graham recognized the key role played by the Inter-Governmental Authority on
Development, which sponsored the peace talks, and the Government of Kenya, which
facilitated and chaired the discussions. "This is truly a great example of how regional
countries, working in concert, can develop indigenous solutions to local problems," said
the Minister.</p>
<p>Canada provided $1.7 million in humanitarian assistance to Somalia in 2003.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Isabelle Savard</p>
<p>Director of Communications</p>
<p>Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</p>
<p>(613) 995-1851</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070222004624/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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