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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>May 21, 2004 <em>(4:55 p.m. EDT)</em>
No. 74</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>GRAHAM WELCOMES NEW DEVELOPMENTS ON DARFUR, SUDAN</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today welcomed the announcement by the
Government of Sudan that it will ease travel restrictions on humanitarian aid workers.</p>
<p>"We are very pleased with this decision by the Government of Sudan," said Minister
Graham. "It signifies an important and constructive step by authorities to address the
dire humanitarian and human rights situation in Darfur."</p>
<p>Canada's Special Envoy to the Sudan Peace Process, Senator Mobina Jaffer, was in
Khartoum and Darfur from May 18 to 20. She met with the President of Sudan to
express Canada's ongoing concerns with respect to the Sudanese peace process
generally, the obstacles encountered by humanitarian agencies attempting access to
affected civilians and the human rights situation in the Darfur region.</p>
<p>"There is a need for all parties to the current conflict in Darfur to continue to negotiate a
political solution," said Minister Graham. "The Government of Sudan must ensure the
protection of the civilian population, including humanitarian aid workers."</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Isabelle Savard<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/20071207004941/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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