NEWS RELEASES
CANADA WELCOMES RELEASE OF TRAN THI CAM AND THREE CANADIAN CITIZENS IMPRISONED IN VIET NAM
Sept. 1, 2000 (2:40 p.m. EDT) No. 211
CANADA WELCOMES RELEASE OF TRAN THI CAM AND THREE CANADIAN CITIZENS
IMPRISONED IN VIET NAM
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy, Minister for International Co-operation Maria Minna and Secretary of
State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan today welcomed the release of Tran Thi Cam from a prison in Hanoi, Viet
Nam. In addition, they expressed appreciation for the presidential amnesty granted to three Canadian prisoners
who were being held in Viet Nam.
Ms. Tran is the mother of Nguyen Thi Hiep, the 43-year-old Canadian woman who was executed April 25, after
being convicted by a Vietnamese court on drug smuggling charges. At Canada's request, Ms. Tran was
released as part of a general presidential amnesty celebrating Viet Nam's national day, which falls on
September 2. Arrangements are now being made for Ms. Tran's return to Canada.
"Canada has worked hard to secure the release of Ms. Tran and we welcome the decision by the Vietnamese
government to grant her amnesty," said Minister Axworthy. "With her release and Viet Nam's fulfilment of
conditions specified by Canada some months ago, the way has been cleared for discussions toward restoration
of co-operation between our two countries in a variety of areas."
Mr. Axworthy noted that officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade had been working
actively on this case and that he had personally raised Ms. Tran's situation with the Vietnamese Foreign
Minister on a number of occasions, both by letter as well as in person at recent meetings of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum in Bangkok.
"Our bilateral ties with Viet Nam are normally very positive," commented Minister Minna. "Canadians have
supported important development objectives in Viet Nam, which have made a valuable and much-appreciated
contribution. We look forward to re-opening the lines of communication with Viet Nam on future development
assistance projects and re-establishing a productive relationship, following today's release of Ms. Tran."
"The measures that Canada adopted after the execution of Nguyen Thi Hiep facilitated the release of her
mother from prison," said Secretary of State Chan. "We are pleased that Ms. Tran has been set free, that the
remains of Ms. Nguyen have been transferred to her family and that our respective police forces have met to
establish clearer lines of communication on drug issues. We hope that this will help the family to find some
measure of peace."
In 1996, Nguyen Thi Hiep and her mother, Tran Thi Cam, were apprehended at the Hanoi airport, and heroin
was found concealed in artwork they had agreed to transport from Viet Nam to Canada. Ms. Tran was
sentenced to life in prison, and Ms. Nguyen to death. After her execution, the Government of Canada
conducted a review of bilateral relations with Viet Nam and announced a series of measures.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Jonathan Yendall
Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)
(613) 995-1852
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Robin Walsh
Office of the Minister for International Co-operation
(819) 953-3160
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
(819) 953-6534
E-mail: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca (electronic version of this document)
This document is also available on the Internet sites of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International
Trade, and the Canadian International Development Agency:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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