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<p><font size="+1"><strong>December 3, 2004 <em>(6:45 p.m. EST)</em> No. 145</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>CANADA PREPARED TO PROVIDE FURTHER SUPPORT TO
UKRAINIAN ELECTIONS</strong></font><strong></strong></p>
<p>On behalf of the Government of Canada, Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and
International Cooperation Minister Aileen Carroll welcomed the Ukrainian Supreme
Court decision today that paves the way for Ukrainians to return to the polls on
December 26 in order to repeat the second round of presidential elections. They also
announced that Canada is prepared to send up to 75 election observers, under the
auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), should
the Ukrainian authorities request an International Election Observation Mission.</p>
<p>"We look forward to this opportunity for Ukrainians to hold a new election," said
Minister Pettigrew. "We applaud the Ukrainian people, who have kept their protests
peaceful. I wish to emphasize how important it is to determine the true will of the
Ukrainian electorate. Only through a free and fair vote will the new president have
legitimacy in the eyes of Ukrainians and the international community."</p>
<p>"The events of the past several weeks in Ukraine have vividly demonstrated the value
of independent election observers," said Minister Carroll. "Dispatching this new
delegation of observers would contribute to democratic development and the
strengthening of governance institutions and civil society. With 75 observers, this would
be the largest delegation that Canada has ever sent to a foreign election."</p>
<p>This initiative is part of the Canadian contribution to the OSCE election observer
mission. Funding of up to $520,000 will be provided by the Canadian International
Development Agency. Canada will also consider offering other forms of assistance to
support the Ukrainian presidential election.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Sébastien Théberge</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>Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123091303/http://www.international.gc.ca/">http://www.international.gc.ca</a></p>
<p>Andrew Graham</p>
<p>Director of Communications</p>
<p>Office of the Minister of International Cooperation</p>
<p>(819) 953-6238</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Canadian International Development Agency</p>
<p>(819) 953-6534</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123091303/mailto:info@acdi-cida.gc.ca">info@acdi-cida.gc.ca</a></p>
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