NEWS RELEASES
CANADIANS BEING EVACUATED FROM THE SOLOMON ISLANDS
June 8, 2000 (3:50 p.m. EDT) No. 147
CANADIANS BEING EVACUATED FROM THE SOLOMON ISLANDS
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Canadians are being
evacuated by sea from the Solomon Islands, with the assistance of the Australian High
Commission in Honiara. The evacuation is taking place under the terms of the Canada-Australia Consular Services Sharing Agreement. There are approximately 30 Canadians
registered with the High Commission.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has also upgraded its Travel
Advisory on the Solomons, urging Canadians not to travel there and advising those on
the island of Guadalcanal to leave.
"I am disturbed that the outlook for democracy in the South Pacific has taken another
turn for the worse with the attempted coup in the Solomon Islands," said Mr. Axworthy.
"Canada urges a speedy resolution of the tensions that have led to this action and calls
for the return to constitutional rule."
The Minister also expressed support for the outcome of a meeting of the
Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) in London on June 6, in which
Canada participated, where the situations in the Solomon Islands and Fiji were
discussed.
At the CMAG meeting, ministers called for the immediate return to constitutional
government and the rule of law, urged the Malaitan militants to withdraw their forces
from Honiara, and urged the warring groups to reaffirm and renew their commitment to
the Commonwealth-brokered peace process in the Solomon Islands. In addition,
ministers decided that the Commonwealth Ministerial mission to Fiji would also visit the
Solomon Islands to meet with government and other leaders to convey Commonwealth
concerns and offer assistance in restoring and strengthening democratic institutions and
processes.
"Political and social conflict can be readily resolved through the democratic process, if
all parties are willing to sit down and negotiate in good faith," added Secretary of State
(Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan. "Canada will provide support to the Commonwealth's
efforts to uphold democratic practices and constitutional processes in the region."
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Donovan Hammersley
Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)
(613) 995-1852
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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