Canada deplores killings in Venezuela
and urges national reconciliation
Foreign
Affairs Minister Bill Graham has deplored the recent killings of three
dissident Venezuelan soldiers and a civilian in Venezuela.
"Canada
calls on the Government of Venezuela to investigate these murders and
bring those responsible to justice," said Mr. Graham. "These
killings and other more recent developments are contrary to the spirit of
the Declaration Against Violence and in Favour of Peace and Democracy
signed on February 18."
The
Declaration was signed by the Venezuelan government and opposition parties
in Caracas following talks facilitated by the Secretary General of the
Organization of American States, César Gaviria. Under this peace
and non-violence pact, all parties agreed to respect democracy and freedom
of speech, and to condemn violence and work toward peaceful solutions.
Minister
Graham underscored Canada's continuing support for Secretary General
Gaviria's efforts to find a negotiated solution to this crisis that is
consistent with the principles enshrined in the Inter-American Democratic
Charter.