NEWS RELEASES
SECRETARY OF STATE KILGOUR TO VISIT FOUR AFRICAN COUNTRIES
May 18, 1999 (3:50 p.m. EDT) No. 114
SECRETARY OF STATE KILGOUR TO VISIT
FOUR AFRICAN COUNTRIES
Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) David Kilgour will travel to four African countries -- Benin, Cameroon, Central
African Republic and Gabon -- from May 17 to May 22. He will participate in bilateral talks on the issues and challenges facing
Africa at the dawn of the third millennium including good governance, democratization, respect for human rights and human security.
"Canada and Africa have worked for a long time to forge a relationship based on friendship and mutual respect," said Mr. Kilgour.
"These meetings will enable Canada and these African countries to strengthen our political and trade links."
The Secretary of State also plans to take advantage of this visit to support the efforts of Canadian firms currently doing business in
the four African states or thinking of investing there. In Benin, for example, the privatization of government-owned companies and
the development of the mining and petroleum sectors could be of interest to the Canadian private sector.
Cameroon, with its highly diversified economy, is an important partner in Canada's technical co-operation program. Cameroon's
program of privatizing public institutions, particularly in the fields of energy resources and telecommunications, offers interesting
investment opportunities. "I will support Canadian companies interested in obtaining one of the contracts that will be granted for the
construction of the Chad-Cameroon pipeline," said Mr. Kilgour.
In the Central African Republic, Mr. Kilgour will visit with 50 Canadian peacekeepers based in Bangui who are providing
communications support to the United Nations Mission to the Central African Republic (MINURCA). In preparation for the
upcoming presidential elections, the Secretary of State is also planning to discuss with officials the follow-up to the Bangui
Agreements and the National Reconciliation Pact.
The Secretary of State will seek to strengthen Canada's political links with Gabon, which is also currently a member of the UN
Security Council. In addition, discussions will take place regarding Canadian technical co-operation, Canada's contribution to the
improvement of good governance, and follow-up to the efforts of Canadian companies, namely in the oil, wood and mining sectors,
where many industrial and commercial partnership projects are ongoing. Both countries are currently negotiating a double taxation
agreement and are expecting to initiate talks on a foreign investment protection agreement.
"Canada remains committed to developing stronger ties with Africa, as demonstrated by recent visits to the continent by Governor
General Roméo LeBlanc, Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy, the Minister for International Co-operation and Minister
responsible for La Francophonie, Diane Marleau, and myself," said Mr. Kilgour. "Through direct bilateral dialogue, as well as
through such organizations as La Francophonie, the Commonwealth and the United Nations, we are actively engaged with our
African partners in promoting peace and stability on the continent."
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Tasha Stefanis
Office of the Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)
(613) 944-2162
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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