Canada-Israel Committee responds to UN deaths

NEWS RELEASES

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

CANADA-ISRAEL COMMITTEE

******************** Statement by the Prime Minister on report of Canadian Forces member missing and presumed dead

July 26, 2006 Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on Canadian Forces member Major Paeta Derek Hess-von Kruedener who is missing and presumed dead in Southern Lebanon:

"I am deeply saddened by reports that Major Hess-von Kruedener serving with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) mission in South Lebanon is missing and presumed dead as a result of an incident yesterday.

"Our government fully intends to investigate the circumstances that led to this tragic incident. I have asked our military to investigate and work in conjunction with the Government of Israel and the United Nations to determine what occurred.

"This regrettable event underscores the dangers that our Canadian Forces members face, in all the roles they undertake, to serve our country with distinction and honour and provide assistance to citizens in countries far from our shores."

********************** CIC expresses condolences OTTAWA, July 26 - Canada-Israel Committee National Chair Marc Gold expressed deep regret over the deaths of four UN Observers in Lebanon, including a Canadian national. "On behalf of Canadian Jewry and the pro-Israel community in Canada, I want to convey sincere condolences to all the families who have suffered losses in this tragic accident. UN observers play a vital role in the efforts to enhance stability and the prospects for peace throughout the globe. We owe them a profound debt of gratitude for the courageous work they do and the sacrifices they are asked to make in the interests of world peace." Mr. Gold expressed confidence that the ongoing Israeli investigation into the accident will provide some clarification and relayed the community's great appreciation to Prime Minister Harper for his thoughtful and encouraging comments about the incident.

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