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<title>GRAHAM WELCOMES IRAQI CABINET</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>September 3, 2003 <em>(4:20 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 125</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>GRAHAM WELCOMES IRAQI CABINET</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham welcomed the Iraqi Governing Council's appointment of a new 25-member Cabinet,
sworn in today. </p>
<p>"This is an important step in the process of returning authority to the Iraqi people," said Minister Graham. "We are
encouraged that this transition has not been set back by the horrible cycle of destabilizing violence that has plagued the
region in the past days and weeks. Canada condemns the recent attacks, including Friday's appalling terrorist attack in
Najaf that resulted in the loss of so many innocent lives." </p>
<p>The new Cabinet comprises 24 men and one woman, and represents the country's various ethnic and religious
communities. Thirteen ministers are Muslim Shiites, five are Sunnis, five are Kurds, one is Turkmen and one is Christian. </p>
<p>The interim Cabinet will be responsible for the day-to-day business of Iraq's ministries and will serve until elections are
held in the country. </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/20071123042857/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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