NEWS RELEASES
CANADA PROVIDING MISSION TO OBSERVE ELECTIONSIN BOSNIA
September 12, 1996 No. 160
CANADA PROVIDING MISSION TO OBSERVE ELECTIONS
IN BOSNIA
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Canada is providing a
30-member mission to observe the September 14 elections in Bosnia, under the
auspices of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and
through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
"These elections are a key element of the Bosnian Peace Agreement and an essential
first step toward institution-building and democratization," stated Mr. Axworthy.
"While we recognize that the observers will be working under challenging
conditions, we believe that their presence will contribute to achieving as
democratic a result as possible."
The OSCE was given responsibility for supervising the preparation and conduct of
the Bosnian elections under the Dayton Peace Agreement.
"Canadian expertise and assistance are instrumental to the technical preparation
for these elections," added Mr. Axworthy. "And, in addition to reinforcing our
commitment to the OSCE, this mission reflects the priority Canada attaches to
democratic development in the region."
The observer mission includes four federal members of Parliament: Gar Knutson,
Elgin-Norfolk; Carolyn Parrish, Mississauga West; Nelson A. Riis, Kamloops; and
Andrew P. Telegdi, Waterloo. Among the other observers, many possess extensive
election expertise and have been assigned to senior positions by the OSCE.
In addition to the observer mission, 15 Canadians were sent to Bosnia in August to
work as OSCE election supervisors. The Honourable John Reid was appointed one of
three international members on the Provisional Elections Commission, and Mr. Craig
Jenness is heading the OSCE's human rights section.
Canada's role in the electoral process in Bosnia is an integral part of a broad
CIDA program of support for reconstruction in the former Yugoslavia.
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For a list of the observers, or 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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