April 17, 2008
No. 91
The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement expressing concern about the ongoing crisis in Zimbabwe:
"Reports of escalating violence in Zimbabwe, and in particular incidents that are politically motivated, are very worrying. Canada condemns these acts of violence and calls on the Government of Zimbabwe to protect its citizens against all forms of intimidation and violence.
"Canada continues to urge Zimbabwean authorities to respect the will of the electorate and to release official results of the recent presidential election without further delay. Unjustifiable delays compromise the credibility of the electoral process and cast serious doubts on the integrity, independence and motivation of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
"We welcome the active engagement of Zimbabwe's neighbours through the Southern African Development Community. We call upon African leaders to take action in support of peaceful and democratic change in Zimbabwe during this critical period, and invite their involvement in directly monitoring all aspects of the electoral process, including the surge of violence against opposition supporters.
"Canada calls on all parties in Zimbabwe to exercise calm and restraint."
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