NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY TO VISIT HAITI
March 21, 1997 No. 59
AXWORTHY TO VISIT HAITI
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy will pay a working visit to Haiti on March
26 to discuss a range of current issues with President René Préval and members of
the Haitian government. The Minister's last visit to Haiti was in May 1996.
"Canada is pleased with the progress that has been made in Haiti since the
international community's intervention in 1994," said Mr. Axworthy. "As a close
friend and neighbour, we continue to be particularly interested in the ongoing
stability and democratic development of this country."
Mr. Axworthy will also meet with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Enrique ter Horst, who will be providing a report on the UN Support
Mission in Haiti (UNSMIH) to the UN Security Council. The Minister will also meet
with the Commander of UNSMIH, General Pierre Daigle. He is also planning to visit
the Maple Leaf Camp, where he will meet Canadian police officers and military
personnel serving in Haiti.
This visit will enable Mr. Axworthy to assess first-hand the situation in Haiti
and to discuss with President Préval and members of the government the role that
the international community can play in helping to maintain political stability on
the Caribbean island.
On December 5, 1996, the Government of Canada supported the decision of the United
Nations Security Council to grant an extension to UNSMIH, which is currently
scheduled to terminate on July 31, 1997. Canada maintains a contribution to the
Mission of 750 troops and 100 police officers. UNSMIH's mandate is to assist in
the professionalization of the Haitian National Police, to help maintain a climate
of public security and to provide assistance in strengthening Haiti's democratic
institutions.
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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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