Ottawa – In a message sent by President Hamid Karzai to Prime Minister Paul Martin on Monday, the Afghan leader conveyed “sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Glyn Berry,” Canada’s top diplomat in Southern Afghanistan who was killed in a suicide terrorist attack in Kandahar on Sunday.

President Karzai thanked Canadians for their commitment to peace in Afghanistan and reiterated “the people of Afghanistan will always remember the services rendered by Canadian men and women in uniform towards peace and stability in our country.”

He also thanked Canadian leaders for showing “strong resolve to remain committed to Afghanistan.”

In a separate message, Dr. A. Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed sorrow and condemned the killing of Mr. Berry by “the enemies of peace and stability.” He also wished speedy recovery for the three Canadian soldiers who were seriously injured during the Kandahar terrorist attack.

Distributed by the Embassy of Afghanistan

January 18, 2006