Winnipeg, Manitoba -- The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) notes with pleasure and satisfaction the statements made on Monday by the Right Honourable Prime Minister and the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs during Question Period in the House of Commons. These statements were reiterated by the Paul Martin during a joint press conference with US President George Bush on Tuesday, November 30, 2004 in Ottawa.

In response to a question by Conservative MP Garry Breitkreuz, Pierre Pettigrew stated that he had conducted discussions with his counterparts in the European Union and the with the German Foreign Minister and that the results of the election have been rejected by them all.

When answering a question from Conservative MP Ted Menzies, Prime Minister Paul Martin stated that "Canada is prepared to do whatever it can, whenever it can, to ensure that elections in Ukraine are fair, open and transparent." The Prime Minster stated unequivocally that Russia must refrain from interference in the Ukrainian elections.

Later, in a telephone call to UCC President Orysia Sushko, the Prime Minister restated this support for the right of the Ukrainian people to have their democratically articulated will respected. The Prime Minister indicated that the Government of Canada would provide financial support to the UCC for its future election observer work.

UCC President Orysia Sushko commented that "It is gratifying that the UCC has been able to establish an excellent working relationship with the Prime Minister's Office and with the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Our concerns and positions have been taken into account and are reflected in the statements of our federal government. We are extremely gratified with the support we are receiving from both Opposition and Government MPs, especially the Hon. Walt Lastewka and Borys Wrzesnewskyj."

December 1, 2004