NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY, MINNA, SIERRA LEONE FOREIGN MINISTER TO DISCUSS STEPS TO STRENGTHEN PEACE
August 20, 1999 (5:30 p.m. EDT) No. 185
AXWORTHY, MINNA, SIERRA LEONE FOREIGN MINISTER
TO DISCUSS STEPS TO STRENGTHEN PEACE
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Minister for International Co-operation Maria Minna will each meet
with Sierra Leone's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Dr. Sama Banya on August 23.
They will discuss the political situation in Sierra Leone, the effects of the war on children, and measures to
promote national reconstruction and reconciliation in Sierra Leone. These meetings are part of Dr. Banya's
visit to Canada, which began in Edmonton on August 15.
"Canada continues to support the process of national reconciliation aimed at securing peace and stability for
the people of Sierra Leone," said Mr. Axworthy. "Minister Banya's visit to Canada provides the opportunity to
discuss the challenges of consolidating peace and to address the major problem of protecting civilians in
conflict, particularly child soldiers."
In Edmonton, Minister Banya attended the First International Congress on Telehealth and Multimedia
Technologies, where he met with health service providers and educators, and representatives of telehealth
and multimedia technology industries that develop prosthetics.
"Canadians are deeply concerned about the plight of the people in Sierra Leone," said Minister Minna. "We will
continue to support the people of Sierra Leone in their efforts to rebuild their society."
During his visit to Ottawa, Dr. Banya will also meet with David Pratt, Member of Parliament for Nepean-Carleton and special envoy for Sierra Leone, to further discuss the lasting effects of war on children and
measures aimed at reintegrating the people of Sierra Leone. In March 1999, Mr. Pratt travelled to Sierra Leone
to assess the prospects for the restoration of peace and stability. He will be a keynote speaker at a conference
on the war in Sierra Leone in Washington, D.C., on September 8 and 9.
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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
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
(819) 953-6534
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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