NEWS RELEASES
FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER OF GUATEMALATO VISIT CANADA
December 4, 1996 No. 235
FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER OF GUATEMALA
TO VISIT CANADA
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Eduardo Stein,
Foreign Affairs Minister of Guatemala, will pay a working visit to Ottawa on
December 5 and 6.
"I look forward to Mr. Stein's visit so that we can strengthen our bilateral ties
and continue our discussions on developments in the Guatemalan peace process,"
said Mr. Axworthy. "Canada's main objective in support of the peace accords is to
assist Guatemala in making a peaceful transition to an open society in which human
rights are respected and the Government of Guatemala is better able to satisfy the
needs of its citizens through equitable development."
Mr. Stein will hold bilateral meetings with Minister Axworthy, Minister for
International Co-operation and Minister Responsible for la Francophonie Don
Boudria and Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) Christine Stewart to
discuss the latest developments in the Guatemalan peace process and how the
international community can support it.
"CIDA's programming in Guatemala complements the plans for implementing the peace
agreements and focusses on poverty alleviation, democratic development and human
rights," said Mr. Boudria.
"A significant aim of Canada's program in Guatemala is to strengthen civil
society, indigenous groups and grass-roots communities," said Mrs. Stewart.
"Guatemala can only make progress if its people have the capacity to do so.
Canadian non-governmental organizations have done outstanding work in this area,"
she added.
Mr. Stein's visit follows a trip to Guatemala by Mr. Axworthy and Mrs. Stewart on
September 12 to discuss the plan by the
Government of Guatemala and the National Revolutionary Unity of Guatemala to sign
a Peace Accord on December 29, 1996.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency
(819) 953-6534
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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