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<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt">December 27, 2004 </strong></span><span style="font-size: 14pt"><strong><em>(4:15 p.m. EST)</em><br>
No. 157</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: CENTER"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><strong>CANADA CONGRATULATES UKRAINIANS </strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: CENTER"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><strong>ON THEIR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt"></span>Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and International Cooperation Minister
Aileen Carroll today welcomed the preliminary finding that, according to the reports of
the Canadian Observers Mission (COM) and the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the December 26 round of the Ukrainian presidential
election represented a fair expression of the will of the Ukrainian people.</p>
<p>"Canadians are encouraged by the high number of Ukrainians who exercised their
democratic rights. We look forward to the announcement and confirmation of the
winner," said Minister Pettigrew. "This election offered an opportunity for more
Canadians to get involved in world affairs and to help the cause of democracy. We are
proud that this first Canada Corps initiative was such a success."</p>
<p>"This election provided an ideal opportunity for Canada Corps to call upon a wide range
of qualified Canadian volunteers who wanted to help the people of Ukraine make their
votes count," said Minister Carroll. "I would like to congratulate the Right Honourable
John Turner, Head of the Canadian Delegation, and the members of the delegation on
the very important task they undertook. I would also like to thank them for their sacrifice
at this special time of year. This is the perfect reflection of Canadians' belief in
democracy and in giving each and every individual a voice in the future of their country."</p>
<p>Canada sent its largest election observer delegation ever to the Ukrainian presidential
runoff vote, drawing from volunteers who were selected from over 4,000 applications
received by CANADEM, a Canadian non-governmental organization specializing in the
selection and provision of election observers worldwide.</p>
<p>This mission represents the inaugural project for Canada Corps, an important Canadian
International Development Agency initiative aimed at sending Canadian experts to
areas of the world where they can make a contribution. This has been an example of
how Canada Corps can channel Canadian expertise in good governance and institution
building to support the building of democracy.</p>
<p>Having completed their responsibilities as election monitors, members of the OSCE and
COM groups are expected to return to Canada by December 30.</p>
<p>The preliminary report of the Canadian Observers Mission is available at
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123093605/http://www.canadobserv.org/">http://www.canadobserv.org</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Sébastien Théberge<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</p>
<p>Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123093605/http://www.international.gc.ca/">http://www.international.gc.ca</a></p>
<p>Andrew Graham<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation<br>
(819) 953-6238</p>
<p>Media Relations Office<br>
Canadian International Development Agency<br>
(819) 953-6534<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123093605/mailto:info@acdi-cida.gc.ca">info@acdi-cida.gc.ca</a></p>
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