NEWS RELEASES
CANADA WELCOMES UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON HUMANITARIAN MISSION TO ZAIRE
November 15, 1996 No. 210
CANADA WELCOMES UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION ON HUMANITARIAN MISSION TO ZAIRE
The Government of Canada today welcomed United Nations Security Council resolution
1080, which authorizes a multinational humanitarian force, under Canadian command,
to eastern Zaire. The passage of the resolution officially enables the deployment
of the multinational force.
The mission's mandate is to: i) facilitate the immediate return of humanitarian
organizations and the effective delivery by civilian relief organizations of
humanitarian aid to alleviate the immediate suffering of displaced persons,
refugees and civilians at risk in eastern Zaire, and ii) facilitate the voluntary,
orderly repatriation of refugees by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees as well
as the voluntary return of displaced persons.
The multinational force will be in the field for a period of four months, to March
31, 1997. The resolution identifies the need for a follow-on operation to succeed
the multinational force.
The costs of the operation are to be borne by participating states and through a
voluntary trust fund to support African participation in the multinational force.
The Security Council has authorized the mission under Chapter VII of the UN
Charter, which allows for the use of force if necessary to meet the objectives of
the mission.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 997-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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