OTTAWA, April 21: Canada plans to come to the rescue of 25 of the world’s poorest countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, for special attention in its aid budget, it was officially announced here on Wednesday. Other countries where Canada will be concentrating two-thirds of its assistance are: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, Bolivia, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Ukraine.

In a policy statement, Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew said Ottawa will also focus its attention on Darfur, the Middle East and Haiti as trouble spots where Canadian government can contribute more. He also said that special efforts will be made to help “failed and failing states” under Canada’s first fully integrated government-wide international policy framework.

He said Canada’s policy calls for a new North American strategy, a new multilateral strategy and strengthening investment and trade ties with the new global players like China, India and Brazil, and traditional trade partners Japan and the European Union.

Pettigrew said the new policy would provide the tools for the government to make a difference in the world.

He also announced a two-pronged military strategy focusing on the defence of North America with the creation of a ‘Canada Command’, and a Standing Contingency Task Force to respond to crises.