MINISTER PETTIGREW ISSUES STATEMENT ON IRAQ CONSTITUTION REFERENDUM
Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today issued the following statement on the recently completed referendum to ratify Iraq’s new constitution:
“Today’s referendum is a milestone in Iraq’s democratic development and Canada congratulates the people of Iraq on this significant achievement. The referendum represents the culmination of a complex negotiation process and reflects the dedicated work of the Constitutional Drafting Committee and the National Assembly.
“The referendum represents an opportunity for all Iraqis to make their voices heard by participating directly in the political process. The number of Iraqis who went to the polls is a testament to the spirit of the Iraqi people and their commitment to Iraq’s future, despite repeated attempts by insurgents to derail Iraq’s democratic transition.
“Canada will continue to support the establishment of a peaceful and prosperous Iraq. We are committed to working with the Iraqi people to implement a constitution and establish institutions that respect all Iraqis and are consistent with international standards of human rights.
“We are also pleased to hear initial reports from the International Mission for Iraqi Elections, headed by Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer Jean-Pierre Kingsley, congratulating Iraq’s Electoral Commission on having done a tremendous job in a short time under very challenging circumstances.”
