Cablegate: Canadian Prime Minister Praises Afghan Elections

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM AF CA
SUBJECT: CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER PRAISES AFGHAN ELECTIONS

1. (U) In remarks to reporters in Pangnirtun, Nunavut on
August 20, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that "what is
taking place in Afghanistan is remarkable" and praised the
2009 Afghan elections -- "warts and all," noting the
inherent difficulties involved in elections in a country that
had gone through "thirty years of civil war" and "without any
real history of democratic governance." He especially lauded
the contributions of Canadians -- military, diplomats, and
development workers -- to the electoral process, along with
other allies.

Visit Canada,s North American partnership community at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap /

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