News Release

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

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Afghan President to visit Canada

September 14, 2006
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that Afghan President Hamid Karzai will pay a working visit to Ottawa and Montreal on September 21-23, 2006. This will be the second meeting between the two leaders, the first having occurred on March 14, 2006, in Kabul.

“Guided by our core values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights, Canada is proud - along with our allies - to support President Karzai’s legitimate, democratically elected government, said the Prime Minister. “Canada shares its goal of giving the people of Afghanistan, the children, men and women alike, the chance of a better life. A life of peace, security, freedom and justice. A life we as Canadians have for ourselves and that we seek for others.”

All party consent has been given by the House Leaders in the House of Commons to delay the usual order of business to allow for the President to address Parliament. A motion to this effect will be presented in the House of Commons on September 18, 2006 for approval.

Other elements of the President's program in Ottawa include a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister and a private reception in honour of the visit. President Karzai will also lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial.

In Montreal, President Karzai will participate in a roundtable meeting with non-governmental organisations, address a luncheon gathering hosted by Le Conseil des relations internationales de Montréal (CORIM), and attend the inaugural meeting of the Canada-Afghanistan Business Council.

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The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
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