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<title>CANADA WELCOMES DECISION ON OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>March 28, 2003 <em>(9:20 p.m. EST)</em> No. 32</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>CANADA WELCOMES DECISION ON OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAM</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham and Minister for International Co-operation Susan Whelan today welcomed the UN
Security Council's unanimous decision to amend the Iraq Oil-For-Food Program. Today's decision gives the UN Secretary-General authority to administer the Program's operation for the next 45 days. </p>
<p>"Canada is extremely pleased that the Security Council has acted so quickly on this important matter," said Minister
Graham. "We commend the Council for its efforts in achieving consensus. Canada calls on the Security Council to remain
united in subsequent discussions about the Program."</p>
<p>"The Oil-For-Food Program has played a crucial role in helping feed people in Iraq since 1996," said Minister Whelan.
"We urge the UN to act as quickly as possible on the reinstatement of this program."</p>
<p>The Oil-For-Food Program began in December 1996, allowing Iraq to sell oil to purchase food, medicine and other civilian
supplies under UN supervision. Shortly before the beginning of the war in Iraq, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan
suspended the program and evacuated more than 300 staff who were monitoring the distribution of supplies. The UN has
noted that upwards of 60 percent of the Iraqi population was completely dependent on food rations provided through the
Program. </p>
<p>Earlier this week Canada announced $100 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Iraq, of which $20 million is
being immediately allocated to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNICEF, the World Food
Programme, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies and CARE Canada.</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/20071123041530/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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