NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY DISCUSSES PEACE PROCESS WITH SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
September 19, 2000 (4:35 p.m. EDT) No. 242
AXWORTHY DISCUSSES PEACE PROCESS
WITH SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy met today in Ottawa with Peter Mandelson, Secretary of State for Northern
Ireland, to discuss political issues, including Canada's support for Northern Ireland's peace process.
"We are proud of Canada's contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process," said Mr. Axworthy. "We support the
United Kingdom and Ireland in their efforts to obtain a durable and peaceful solution to this longstanding problem. Our role
in Northern Ireland, where three prominent Canadians have made distinguished contributions to the peace process, is based
on the trust and confidence that characterize Canada's reputation with all the parties."
Canadian General John de Chastelain heads the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, which is
supervising the decommissioning of weapons in Northern Ireland. Similarly, Chief Justice William Hoyt of New
Brunswick has been appointed to the U.K. Commission of Inquiry into the "Bloody Sunday" shootings. Finally, Professor
Clifford Shearing of the University of Toronto was appointed to the Patten Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland,
which has the mandate to reform the police system.
During his visit to Ottawa, Mr. Mandelson also met with Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and members of the Canada-Ireland
Interparliamentary Friendship Group and the Canada-U.K. Parliamentary Group.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
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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