NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY TO ATTEND BONN MEETING OF G-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS ON KOSOVO
May 5, 1999 (6:40 p.m. EDT) No. 98
AXWORTHY TO ATTEND BONN MEETING OF
G-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS ON KOSOVO
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy will attend a special meeting of Group of Eight (G-8) Foreign Ministers
in Bonn on May 6 to review the continuing conflict in Kosovo and discuss diplomatic efforts to secure an end to
the crisis.
The meeting will allow Ministers to take stock of present efforts to bring about Yugoslav President Milosevic's
acceptance of the five conditions necessary for peace.
The five conditions required to bring to an end the current NATO campaign against Yugoslavia are:
- an end to "ethnic cleansing";
- withdrawal of Yugoslav forces;
- the establishment of an international force to ensure the security of the people of Kosovo;
- unconditional return of refugees under the protection of the international force; and
- a framework for the political autonomy of the people of the province of Kosovo.
"Canada is determined to see the Kosovo crisis resolved through respect for the conditions established by the
international community," said Mr. Axworthy. "The obstinacy of the Milosevic regime is preventing a resolution
of the conflict in the interests of the people of Kosovo. I will be discussing with my counterparts ways by which
we can most effectively move the diplomatic process forward."
The Minister emphasized, however, that NATO will not ease its military campaign against Yugoslavia. He noted
that, in the current instance, the use of force and diplomatic initiatives are complementary.
The G-8 consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and
Russia.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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