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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">November 23, 2004 <i>(2:45 p.m. EST)</i> No. 135</span></span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">MINISTER PETTIGREW URGES UKRAINE <br>
TO ENSURE ELECTION TRANSPARENCY</span></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today called for an immediate investigation of
allegations of serious fraud during the November 21 runoff vote of the Ukrainian
presidential election.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“I am concerned by reports from Canadian and other international observers, which
indicate a variety of serious violations, including illegal voting practices, violence and
patterns of intimidation against voters and election observers,” said Minister Pettigrew.
“The international community looks to Ukraine to ensure full transparency and an
election result that truly represents the democratic will of the people.”</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Following the second round of voting, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human
Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe reported that its
observers noted suspiciously high turnout in some regions, repeat voting using
absentee voter certificates, irregularities in ballot counting, last-minute additions of
voters to voter lists on election day and restrictions placed on voters’ ability to cast their
ballots.</span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">- 30 -</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Sébastien Théberge<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
</span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123091208/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000"></span></span></span></p>
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