NEWS RELEASES
CANADA TO ASSIST ISRAEL AND PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY IN COMBATTING TERRORISM
March 29, 1996 No. 53
CANADA TO ASSIST ISRAEL AND PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY IN
COMBATTING TERRORISM
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Canada has agreed to
assist the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to purchase
sophisticated Canadian bomb detection equipment. This decision is in keeping with
the commitment Prime Minister Chrétien made at the "Summit of the Peacemakers,"
held March 13, 1996, in Sharm el-Sheik, to help further the Peace Process and
confront terrorism in the Middle East.
"Through this measure, Canada will make a significant, concrete and effective
contribution to the prevention of further terrorist attacks in Israel," said Mr.
Axworthy.
Under this initiative, assistance to the Israeli government and the Palestinian
Authority will take the form of a contribution of $1 million, which is to be used
to purchase state-of-the-art bomb detection equipment manufactured in Canada.
"Canada continues to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to the Middle East Peace
Process and the fight against international terrorism. Our goal is to help bring
peace and security to all people in the region," said Mr. Axworthy.
Working group meetings, such as the one held yesterday and today in Washington,
D.C., to follow up on the Sharm el-Sheik summit, give Canada the opportunity to
help develop and promote multilateral initiatives to further the Peace Process and
fight against terrorism. Canada will be involved in the preparation of, and will
be represented at, a ministerial meeting in mid-April, which is expected to yield
concrete measures to combat terrorism.
Funding for this contribution was provided for in the March 1996 federal budget
and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This initiative is an
example of how this government is prioritizing its spending so that it can serve
Canadians better by making efficient use of their tax dollars.
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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
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