December 15, 2005
No. 246
The Government of Canada today issued the following statement on the election of the
Council of Representatives in Iraq:
“We wish to offer our congratulations to the people of Iraq on their participation in this
election, whether from their homeland or from one of the 15 countries, including
Canada, where they were able to vote.
“We are pleased to note the positive preliminary assessment of the organization and
conduct of the polling, carried out by the International Mission for Iraqi Elections (IMIE)
led by Jean-Pierre Kingsley, Chair of the IMIE and Chief Electoral Officer of Canada.
Although some issues will merit further review, early indications are that the elections
were fair overall. This election marks the final step in Iraq’s transition to democracy, as
specified in June 2004 by the United Nations Security Council.
“We praise the courage demonstrated by voters and candidates throughout the various
stages of Iraq’s transition to democracy. Despite the high level of personal risk involved,
the citizens of Iraq proved their commitment to democratic change. Thanks to their
determination, Iraqis will have a democratically elected government derived from their
own constitution, which was endorsed in a referendum last October.
“We are particularly pleased to note that Iraqis from all regions, including provinces with
a Sunni Arab majority, have participated in this election, and that the new electoral
system ensures a fair representation of Iraq’s minorities. This should provide the new
Iraqi government with the broad-based representation and enhanced legitimacy it
needs to further develop a national consensus on the future of Iraq.
“Canada will continue to assist the Iraqi government in its efforts to implement the new
constitution and to build democratic and effective governing institutions, in collaboration
with the United Nations and the international community. In 2003, Canada established
a $300-million development fund to assist in the reconstruction of Iraq, to be disbursed
by the end of 2010.”
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
