NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY PRESENTS 1996 AWARDFOR FOREIGN POLICY EXCELLENCE
March 26, 1996 No. 48
AXWORTHY PRESENTS 1996 AWARD
FOR FOREIGN POLICY EXCELLENCE
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced the winner of the 1996
Minister's Award for Foreign Policy Excellence. Ken Sunquist, Minister
(Commercial) and Chargé d'affaires, will receive the award for his exceptional
performance during a difficult and intense period of activity in the People's
Republic of China.
Mr. Sunquist was in charge of Canada's Embassy in Beijing during a period of rapid
expansion, which included the largest number of Canadians ever to visit the
People's Republic of China during the United Nations World Conference of Women,
and numerous other visits by federal ministers, business leaders, and government
officials. He also accompanied Premier Li Peng and a large delegation of Chinese
leaders on a highly successful visit to Canada in October 1995.
"Throughout this hectic period, Mr. Sunquist provided leadership in protecting and
promoting Canada's interests and fostered a spirit of teamwork and openness within
the Embassy," said Mr. Axworthy. "I witnessed this competence first-hand when I
visited Beijing last summer."
Citations for exemplary service in the foreign policy field were also presented to
Gerry Ohlsen, Allan Culham and the Greenland Halibut Task Force.
Gerry Ohlsen, Acting High Commissioner in Lagos, was recognized for his ongoing
management of an important mission, his perceptive assessments and his support for
human rights in Nigeria.
Allan Culham, Director, Energy and Nuclear Affairs Division, received a citation
for his leadership, negotiating skills and dedication in working to ensure
consensus in the G-7 on nuclear
issues at the Halifax Economic Summit, as well as for his subsequent negotiations
with Ukraine, which led to the signing of a memorandum of understanding between
the G-7 and Ukraine to close Chernobyl by the year 2000.
The members of the Greenland Halibut Task Force were cited for their exceptional
efforts defending Canadian interests in the preservation of Greenland halibut
against European overfishing of the stock in the Atlantic Ocean outside the 200-mile zone. The task force was successful in ensuring that Canada's relations with
the European Union and its member states remained balanced and that a treaty was
concluded to protect the Greenland halibut.
The Minister's Award for Foreign Policy Excellence is presented annually as part
of the Department's Recognition and Awards Program.
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