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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>July 28, 2004<em> (3:00 p.m. EDT) </em>
No. 82</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>PETTIGREW CONDEMNS SUICIDE BOMBING ATTACK <br>
IN BA'QUBA, IRAQ</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today issued the following statement after a
suicide car bomb killed more than 68 people outside of a police station in Ba'quba, Iraq:</p>
<p>"Canada strongly condemns this horrific and senseless act of terror and hopes that the
situation will soon be stabilized. This is one of several recent, deadly attacks targeting
innocent Iraqis as they struggle to rebuild their country and its institutions. On behalf of
all Canadians, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the families who have
lost loved ones.</p>
<p>"Canada remains firmly committed to helping Iraq in its recovery and reconstruction.
We welcomed the June 28 transfer of power to Iraqis, and have pledged to work closely
alongside the sovereign interim Iraqi government, the UN and other international
partners. We continue to encourage all parties in Iraq to stay the course toward future
democratic elections."</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Sébastien Théberge</p>
<p>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/20071123091729/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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