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[quote:e9d4a]Canada supports reconstruction fund and police training in Iraq

(2003-92) News Release
October 24, 2003

Madrid, Spain – International Cooperation Minister Susan Whelan, Solicitor General Wayne Easter and Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today announced that Canada will contribute to the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq and will send police trainers to Jordan to help train Iraqi police officers.

"Today I am announcing that Canada will contribute $100 million to the proposed new fund," Minister Whelan said from Madrid, where she is leading the Canadian delegation at the Madrid International Donors' Conference for Iraqi Reconstruction. "Our view at this point is that there are sufficient conditions in place to give us confidence that the fund will serve to move Iraq's reconstruction agenda forward. Pledges made here in Madrid are essential signals to the Iraqi people that the international community stands behind them, and there are prospects for the future for stability, recovery, and self-government. Iraq cannot be allowed to fail."

The initiatives announced today are part of the total $300 million Canadian commitment for humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

"Canada was one of the first countries to signal a major commitment to helping the Iraqi people rebuild their lives," said Minister Graham. "Practical contributions to the reconstruction fund and to governance and security sector reform in Iraq represent our continued follow through on these commitments. The Madrid Donors Conference is another important opportunity for the international community to signal their support, and Canada urges others to come forward."

Minister Whelan also provided details on the police training initiative that will be managed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

"Canada will set aside $10 million from our pledge to send Canadian police trainers to Jordan in the coming months to train Iraqi police officers. Canada will also send a senior Canadian police officer to Baghdad to help develop strategies to strengthen the police sector," Minister Whelan said.

"I am pleased that the RCMP and Canadian police community are lending their well-known expertise to this effort, drawing upon their extensive experience in international training and peacekeeping," Minister Easter said. "This is further evidence that Canada remains committed to reconstruction efforts in Iraq by supporting the strengthening of governance, human rights and democracy and security sector reform."

Funding for these initiatives was provided for in the February 2003 federal budget and is therefore built in to the existing fiscal framework.

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