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<title>CANADA WELCOMES LIBYAN DECISION TO ABANDON WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION PROGRAM</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>December 20, 2003 <em>(11:15 a.m. EST)</em> No. 197</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>CANADA WELCOMES LIBYAN DECISION TO ABANDON WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION PROGRAM</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial">Canada today welcomed the decision by the Government of Libya to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction
(WMD) program, and to allow international weapons inspectors to enter Libya to verify the destruction of all
substances, equipment and programs relating to them. Canada also welcomes Libya's decision to sign on to
the Chemical Weapons Convention, and to negotiate an additional protocol granting the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) wider powers of inspection over nuclear facilities. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham applauded the critical role played by the governments of the United States
and the United Kingdom in the decision by the Government of Libya. "What they have achieved together marks
a significant step forward for global non-proliferation and disarmament, and sets an important example for other
states to follow."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"This is very good news, and constitutes an important step toward Libya's full reintegration into the international
community," Minister Graham added. "Canada looks forward to continuing to enhance its relationship with Libya
as this process is implemented."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canada has long supported the strengthening of the multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation regime
through the promotion of WMD treaties and their implementing agencies, and through strong national export
controls on sensitive materials and technologies. Canada has also made a major financial contribution to non-proliferation and disarmament efforts through the G-8's Global Partnership Initiative, and has strongly
supported regional disarmament in the Middle East.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial">Isabelle Savard</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Director of Communications</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071206032130/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/"><font face="Arial">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></font></p>
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