STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER ON ELECTION OF NEW PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY PRESIDENT
January 10, 2005
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Paul Martin today welcomed news of the successful conduct of the Palestinian Authority presidential election and congratulated Mahmoud Abbas on his victory. This was the first Palestinian presidential election since 1996.
“Elections are an essential part of the democratic process, and Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have taken a crucial step by exercising their choice. This election has presented the international community with an important window of opportunity to assist in strengthening Palestinian capacity. We look forward to working with the new Palestinian Authority President in supporting actions that will bring peace, security and prosperity to all people in the region.
At this historic time of transition, the Government of Canada is prepared to assist the parties as necessary to help them find the path to peace. We call on both the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel to uphold their respective obligations and commitments under the Roadmap as we enter a new era of renewed hope. We also commend the Palestinian Central Election Commission (CEC) on the manner in which it conducted these elections.”
Canada contributed twenty observers to the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to assist in monitoring the electoral process. In addition to these electoral observers, Canada provided $1.2 million to support Palestinian voter registration. It also sent two senior election advisors provided by Elections Canada to the CEC, funded through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
Through CIDA, Canada established a $500,000 Palestinian Election Support Fund intended to support more effective participation by women and youth in the political process.
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