Manitoba legislature takes a stand (12/05/04)

Manitoba legislature takes a stand

WINNIPEG - All parties in the Manitoba legislature passed a resolution on November 30 urging the Manitoba government to work with its federal counterpart to take whatever measures possible to uphold the democratic process in Ukraine.

"Manitoba joins the Ukrainian Parliament, our federal government and international election observers in expressing grave concerns about the legitimacy of the recent presidential election in Ukraine," said Energy, Science and Technology Minister Dave Chomiak. "Ukrainians who have taken to the streets to demonstrate peacefully for free and fair elections deserve to have the same democratic rights as Canadians."

"As members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, we join Manitobans and Canadians in calling for free and fair elections in Ukraine," said Opposition House Leader Len Derkach. "The voice of the Ukrainian people must be heard."

Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard expressed his party's strong support for democracy in Ukraine. "People in Ukraine have waited a long time to have valid elections. We in Manitoba must do all we can to voice our support for fair and legitimate elections," he said.

The resolution in the Manitoba legislature supports a similar resolution passed by the federal Parliament.

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