NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY AND STEWART ENCOURAGE DEMOCRATIC RENEWAL IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
May 27, 1997 No. 97
AXWORTHY AND STEWART ENCOURAGE DEMOCRATIC RENEWAL
IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Secretary of State (Latin America and
Africa) Christine Stewart today called upon the President of the Democratic
Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), Laurent-Désiré Kabila, to form a broad-based
government, undertake reconstruction of the country and assist the humanitarian
agencies dealing with refugees in the country.
"Canada urges President Kabila to focus on constructing a broad-based government
and to turn his attention to the serious political, social and economic problems
facing the vast majority of the Democratic Republic of Congo's people," said
Mr. Axworthy. "This change of orientation requires the establishment of the rule
of law and democratic institutions, good governance practices and a transparent
electoral process that would lead to free and fair legislative and presidential
elections at the earliest possible date."
"Canada is extremely disturbed with the plight of the refugees, especially in
light of the number of serious allegations of inhumane treatment," said
Mrs. Stewart. "We call upon President Kabila to ensure adequate access and
security for humanitarian relief agencies seeking to help both the many refugees
still in the country and the displaced Congolese."
Canada was one of the first countries to fully support an investigation of
reports of atrocities in the refugee camps. "It is critical that the Joint Mission
of Investigation be able to examine all information that would shed light on this
human tragedy in the eastern region of the former Zaire," added Mrs. Stewart.
The Government of Canada is prepared to reconsider its relations with the
Democratic Republic of Congo, greatly reduced under the former Mobutu regime,
depending on the policies and priorities that are to be determined by the
country's new government. In 1991, Canada ended its bilateral assistance program
and closed its embassy in 1993.
The Canadian government remains satisfied that the approximately 400 Canadians
still in Kinshasa are safe.
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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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