NEWS RELEASES
CANADA TO SEND MILITARY OBSERVERS TO GUATEMALA
January 28, 1997 No. 10
CANADA TO SEND MILITARY OBSERVERS TO GUATEMALA
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Minister of National Defence Douglas
Young today announced that Canada will deploy up to 15 military observers to a
United Nations mission in Guatemala. The three-month mission was authorized by
the UN Security Council on January 20, with a mandate to support the verification
of the Guatemalan Peace Accords that were signed in Guatemala City on December 29,
bringing to an end 35 years of civil conflict.
"We hope that the parties to the conflict will be committed to co-operating fully
with the verification of the cease-fire and the other steps that will be necessary
to further the peace process," said Mr. Axworthy. "Canada not only supports but
is ready to assist Guatemala in the peacebuilding process with the deployment of
Canadian military observers, as part of the overall United Nations effort.
Canada's participation is an important step in this process."
Fifteen Spanish-speaking Canadian Forces personnel will participate in the
mission. They will verify the cease-fire, the separation of combatant forces, and
the disarming and demobilization of the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional
Guatemalteca (URNG) forces.
"Once again, Canadians are responding to a call from the international community
to contribute to a more stable and secure world," said Minister Young. "The
expertise of the Canadian Forces observers will ensure that our contribution
brings a tangible benefit to the people of Guatemala."
The Canadian observers will be part of a 155-person military component that will
be attached to the existing United Nations Mission for the Verification of Human
Rights and of Compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights in
Guatemala (MINUGUA). Canadian personnel will be employed both within the mission
headquarters and at the eight disarmament centres set up throughout the country.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Media Liaison Office
Department of National Defence
(613) 996-2353/54
This document is also available on the DFAIT Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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