PRESS RELEASE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

Statement by Gonzalo R. Gallegos, Acting Spokesman
Togolese National Dialogue

August 23, 2006

The United States congratulates the Togolese government and opposition upon the successful completion of their national dialogue, which culminated in the signing of a comprehensive political agreement in Lome yesterday.

The agreement commits Togo's people and leaders, both inside and outside of government, to put the inequities and divisions of the past behind them.  We applaud President Faure Gnassingbe for his persistence in linking reconciliation, democracy, and development.  We wish the Togolese people well as implementation of the agreement moves forward.

We are grateful to President Compaore of Burkina Faso for his role as facilitator in the crucial final stages of the dialogue.

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