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OPT: Canada hosting meeting on Gaza counter-arms smuggling initiative

No.155

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is hosting an expert-level meeting on the Gaza Counter-Arms Smuggling Initiative (GCASI) on June 10 and 11, 2009, in Ottawa.

"Canada's participation in this initiative is a clear sign of our commitment to international efforts to bring about a durable ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, one consistent with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1860," said Minister Cannon. "We look forward to continuing work with our partners on the program of action to coordinate efforts to stop the flow of arms, ammunition and related material into the Gaza Strip.

"By addressing arms smuggling and the continued threat of terrorism through this initiative, Canada continues to contribute to a sustainable peace in the region, along with its international partners."

The GCASI members are Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States. This meeting will further the shared objective of working toward the implementation of the program of action, which was developed earlier this year when the GCASI met in London on March 13.

For more information on the March 13 GCASI meeting, please consult:

http://w01.international.gc.ca/minpub/publication.aspx?publication_id=386935&lang=eng&docnum=68.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851

Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx