Statement

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Statement by the Prime Minister on report of Canadian Forces member missing and presumed dead

July 26, 2006
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on Canadian Forces member Major Paeta Derek Hess-von Kruedener who is missing and presumed dead in Southern Lebanon:

“I am deeply saddened by reports that Major Hess-von Kruedener serving with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) mission in South Lebanon is missing and presumed dead as a result of an incident yesterday.

“Our Government fully intends to investigate the circumstances that led to this tragic incident. I have asked our military to investigate and work in conjunction with the Government of Israel and the United Nations to determine what occurred.

“This regrettable event underscores the dangers that our Canadian Forces members face, in all the roles they undertake, to serve our country with distinction and honour and provide assistance to citizens in countries far from our shores."

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The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
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