Vanguard Magazine

8 JUNE/JULY 2019 www.vanguardcanada.com S Sit rEp Canada's contribution to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula through Operation CALUMET has been extended to March 31, 2022. The announcement was made in April by Minister of National Defence, Harjit S. Sajjan and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chrystia Freeland. "The renewal of Operation CALUMET demonstrates Canada's long- standing support to peace support operations in the Middle East," said Minister Sajjan. As an independent international organization, the MFO has been tasked with peacekeeping responsibilities in the Sinai Peninsula since 1981, when it was created by the United States with Egypt and Israel. The MFO is responsible for supervising the implementation of Annex 1 of the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty. Comprised of about 1200 personnel from twelve nations – Australia, Canada, Colombia, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, New Zealand, Nor- way, the Republic of the Fiji Islands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay – the MFO Sinai is the largest element of the MFO with ground, air, and naval elements and civilian components. "The renewal of Operation CALUMET demonstrates Canada's long- standing support to peace support operations in the Middle East," said Minister Sajjan. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will continue its support of Opera- tion CALUMET by contributing key personnel in different positions with- in the MFO based in El Gorah, Egypt. The purpose of the MFO, according Canada marks National Holocaust Remembrance Day Canada renews commitment to the Multinational Force and Observers in the Sinai Peninsula Ministers and MPs attend the National Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa. May 7, 2019. Photo: pm.gc.ca Canada marked National Holocaust Remembrance Day on May 7th with a joint statement from Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. Below is the full statement issued from National Defence: "On this solemn day, we remember the six million Jewish lives taken between 1933 and 1945. We commemorate National Holocaust Remem- brance Day to honour the memory of the Jewish men, women, and chil- dren who perished, and to reflect on the enduring lessons of this tragedy. "While the horrors suffered by these innocent people will forever be remembered, we must also remember the triumph of the human spirit. After the Second World War, as many as 40,000 Holocaust survivors started a new life in Canada. Our response to anti-Semitism, racism, and hatred must always be guided by love and kindness. Diversity is one of our strengths as a nation. "Recently, Canada was among many other nations that celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, where we reaffirmed our ongoing efforts to prevent systemic violence in Cana- da and around the world. Let us appreciate the importance of the protec- tion of human rights, and stand up for them here at home, and wherever they may be threatened. "Canadians must never forget the destruction and pain of the Holo- caust. Let us all take a moment today to reflect on this dark era in hu- man history, and reaffirm our shared commitment to eliminate anti- Semitism, racism, and hatred in all of its forms." to a press release, is to "supervise the implementation of the provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace, signed 40 years ago." For over 50 years, Canada has contributed to maintaining peace in the region and has been apart of MFO since 1985. Under the renewal, Canada will deploy 55 CAF personnel to Egypt in- cluding senior advisors, headquarters staff, and experts in fields such as remote observation, logistics, engineering, policing, and training. "Canada's unwavering contribution to the Multinational Force and Ob- servers demonstrates its commitment to lasting peace and security in the Middle East," said Minister Freeland.

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