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<title>GRAHAM WELCOMES GENEVA INITIATIVE</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>December 1, 2003 <em>(2:10 p.m. EST)</em> No. 185</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>GRAHAM WELCOMES GENEVA INITIATIVE</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today welcomed the public presentation of the Geneva Initiative on peace in the
Middle East. The Geneva Initiative is a non-governmental model agreement that was drafted and negotiated by prominent
Israelis and Palestinians in a joint effort to identify possible compromises and practical solutions for peace.</p>
<p>"Canada fully supports the Quartet's Road Map for peace in the Middle East, which has been endorsed by the UN Security
Council," said Minister Graham. "We welcome the Geneva Initiative as a complement to the Road Map process and a
reflection of the aspirations of the Israeli and Palestinian people to achieve a just and lasting peace."</p>
<p>The Initiative is intended to contribute to public education and debate, and to the official negotiating process. It addresses
some of the difficult issues surrounding a political solution based on two states, Israel and Palestine, living within secure
and recognized borders. These include refugee issues and the demarcation of boundaries.</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/20070222045047/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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