NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY EXPRESSES SADNESS OVER DEATH OF AMBASSADOR VINCENT
October 31, 1999 (11:15 a.m. EST) No. 236
AXWORTHY EXPRESSES SADNESS OVER
DEATH OF AMBASSADOR VINCENT
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today expressed his sadness over the death
of Anthony G. Vincent, Canada's Ambassador to Spain. The Minister offered, on
behalf of the Government of Canada, his sympathy to the members of Mr. Vincent's
family, particularly his widow Lucie Houle and their daughter, on their loss.
"Canada has lost a dedicated public servant who made an outstanding contribution
to this country's place in the world," said Mr. Axworthy. "His distinguished service to
Canadians will long be remembered. His consummate professionalism won him and
this country respect at home and abroad."
Ambassador Vincent was Canada's representative in Spain since 1997. In his
previous post as ambassador to Peru and Bolivia from 1994, he came to prominent
attention internationally as an intermediary between the Government of Peru and
Tupac Amaru terrorists who had seized hostages, including initially Mr. Vincent, at a
reception for about 700 people in the Japanese embassy in Lima. His efforts helped
win the release of many hostages and contributed to the safety of the remaining 72,
all but one of whom were eventually freed by Peruvian commandos.
Mr. Vincent joined the Department of External Affairs in 1969 and served abroad in
The Hague, New Delhi and in Dhaka as High Commissioner with concurrent
accreditation as ambassador to Burma from 1985 to 1989. In Ottawa, he had a wide
range of assignments, including director of the South and Southeast Asia Relations
Division from 1983 to 1985, and director of the security division from 1988 to 1992.
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Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
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