December 22, 2004 Ottawa -- Aileen Carroll, Minister of International Cooperation, and Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is deploying 20 observers to participate in international monitoring of the Palestinian Authority presidential election on January 9, 2005. In addition, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will contribute to three initiatives aimed at supporting a free, fair and transparent election process in the West Bank and Gaza. Canada was invited by the Palestinian Central Elections Commission (CEC) to monitor the elections. The Canadian observers will participate in the European Union Election Observation Mission (EOM), an international undertaking aimed at ensuring Palestinian candidates and voters are able to participate freely in a fair and transparent democratic process. The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Irwin Cotler, is currently in the Middle East to meet with government ministers and judicial and legal experts to build on existing international relationships and explore possible collaboration in further developing democracy and the rule of law globally. "Without stability and security, the effects of poverty cannot be reduced in a sustainable way," said Minister Carroll. "Canada is proud to contribute to democratic development and good governance in the West Bank and Gaza by supporting this electoral process." The deployment will cost about $350,000. Four long-term observers arrived on December 15. Sixteen short-term observers will be deployed in early January. "Free and fair presidential elections will be an important element in giving credibility and hope to a revived peace process," said Minister Pettigrew. "Canada supports a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement between Palestinians and Israelis, and we are committed to lending further resources and expertise to achieving this vital goal." In addition, CIDA is providing support to the following initiatives: $1.2 million to the United Nations Development Program/Program of Assistance to the Palestinian People to help with voter registration; $500,000 to the Palestinian Election Support Fund, primarily to support women's empowerment and more effective participation by women and youth in the political process; $70,000 to send two senior Canadian experts to support the CEC as well as liaise between national staff and international observation teams. The services of these two experts is being provided by Elections Canada. Funding for these initiatives was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. - 30 - Information: France Bureau Press Secretary Office of the Minister of International Cooperation Telephone: (819) 953-6238 Media Relations Office Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Telephone: (819) 953-6534 E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca Web site: www.cida.gc.ca Sébastien Théberge Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Telephone: (613) 995-1851 Media Relations Office Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada (613) 995-1874 http://www.international.gc.ca
