NEWS RELEASES
CANADA PREPARED TO CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
April 10, 1996 No. 66
CANADA PREPARED TO CONTINUE SUPPORT
FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Minister for International Co-operation and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, the Honourable Pierre S.
Pettigrew, today announced in Sarajevo and Ottawa that Canada plans to continue to
support reconstruction in the former Yugoslavia by allocating up to $25 million in
assistance for the balance of 1996 from the funds of the Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA).
Canadian funding will be available on a regional basis, and its continuation would
be contingent on the parties adhering to the spirit and letter of the Dayton Peace
Agreement.
"The parties must take concrete measures to build a sense of personal security and
confidence in the population by ensuring freedom of movement, independent media,
respect for human rights, especially of returning refugees, and co-operation with
the International Police Task Force," said Mr. Axworthy.
Canada will be represented at the Donor Conference in Brussels on April 12 and 13
by Special Co-ordinator for Reconstruction Michael Berry. He will advise the
World Bank and other donors of Canada's intended contribution.
"The Canadian aid includes humanitarian assistance channelled through
international organizations and United Nations agencies, as well as support
through Canadian organizations for rebuilding health care services and other
social rehabilitation programs. Other initiatives include support for the
development of democratic institutions and law enforcement," said Mr. Pettigrew.
Mr. Axworthy is currently visiting countries of the former Yugoslavia and meeting
with political leaders and other key figures, as well as non-governmental
organizations, to discuss the peace process, including reconstruction, human
rights, aid to refugees and economic co-operation opportunities.
Funding for this Canadian initiative in the former Yugoslavia was provided for in
the March 1996 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal
framework.
This announcement is an example of how this government is prioritizing its
spending so that it can better serve Canadians by making efficient use of their
tax dollars.
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Hugues Rousseau
Office of the Honourable Pierre S. Pettigrew
(819) 953-6238
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
| 
