NEWS RELEASES
CANADA CONDEMNS ASSASSINATION OF FATHER PINARD
February 3, 1997 No. 17
CANADA CONDEMNS ASSASSINATION
OF FATHER PINARD
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today strongly condemned the assassination
of Father Guy Pinard, of Shawinigan, a White Father missionary in Africa. Father
Pinard was killed yesterday in Kampanga, while celebrating the mass in this
village near Ruhengeri, northeast of Rwanda.
"Canada deplores such gratuitous violence and, in the name of the Canadian
government, I would like to express our deepest sympathy to the relatives and
numerous friends of Father Pinard," said Mr. Axworthy. "We are in contact with
Rwandan government authorities, who have promised a full investigation of the
circumstances surrounding this tragedy. The Government of Canada expects an
investigation that will lead to the prosecution of the guilty party."
The assassination of Father Pinard comes two weeks after three Spanish health aid
workers were killed and an American colleague wounded in an attack on their
compound in Ruhengeri.
"The fight against impunity is essential to national reconciliation and part of
Canada's continuing support for the long and difficult process of restoring peace
and justice in Rwanda," added Mr. Axworthy.
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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
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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