NEWS RELEASES
CANADA WELCOMES RELEASE OF INDIAN AIRLINES HOSTAGES
December 31, 1999 (9:30 a.m. EST) No. 282
CANADA WELCOMES RELEASE OF INDIAN AIRLINES HOSTAGES
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed the release of the remaining
155 hostages from Indian Airlines Flight 814. The hijacking, which started on
December 24 after departing from Kathmandu, Nepal, ended in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
"I deeply regret that one passenger was killed and others injured during this tragic affair,
but I am relieved that the distress suffered by the hostages, their families and their
friends is now over," said Minister Axworthy. "I commend the skill of the negotiators,
who were able to reach this peaceful conclusion."
Canadian diplomatic personnel in Kandahar and New Delhi are providing assistance to
Shirley Macklin, the released Canadian. Mrs. Macklin, who is reported to be in good
condition, has been met in Kandahar by a Canadian official. She will be met in New
Delhi by the Canadian High Commissioner and reunited with a member of her family.
"I spoke to Mrs. Macklin's family in Winnipeg a short time ago," said Mr. Axworthy. "I
told them that we very much appreciated their patience and courage, and their close co-operation with our consular officials in both Ottawa and New Delhi."
The Minister noted that the response to the hijacking was consistent with principles on
dealing with hostage-taking incidents agreed to by the G-8, the European Union and
many Commonwealth members: save the lives of the hostages, oppose substantial
concessions and uphold the rule of law. "It is obviously very difficult for us, as
observers, to determine the course of negotiations in such delicate situations, but it is
encouraging that this approach was followed to its conclusion."
Mr. Axworthy reiterated Canada's commitment to international co-operation in fighting
terrorism and other threats to human security. "It is increasingly clear that terrorism
respects no boundaries," he said. "That is why Canada is at the forefront of creating
international instruments, such as the International Convention on the Suppression of
the Financing of Terrorism and the International Criminal Court, both of which will be
most helpful in dealing with this international scourge."
The Minister pledged Canada's support in ensuring that the hijackers of the Indian
Airlines flight, as well as their accomplices, are pursued through all available avenues of
international law and made accountable for their actions.
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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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