NEWS RELEASES
CANADA APPOINTS A SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE ON CYPRUS
April 17, 1997 No. 73
CANADA APPOINTS A SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE ON CYPRUS
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced the appointment of Mr.
Michael R. Bell as Special Representative of the Minister on Cyprus.
"I believe that the current environment offers a special opportunity to make
progress on the Cyprus issue in light of envisaged discussions for an eventual
accession of Cyprus to the European Union," said Mr. Axworthy. "This appointment
is aimed at demonstrating the keen interest we continue to have for the future of
Cyprus and Canada's commitment to support the UN peace effort."
Canada contributed troops to the UN peacekeeping operations on the island from
March 1964 until June 1993.
As Special Representative, Mr. Bell will initiate discussions with the parties to
the conflict as well as with other countries and organizations that are in a
position to help reach a peaceful settlement. He will also provide an evaluation
of the situation and present the views of the Canadian government.
Mr. Bell will support efforts by the United Nations to foster a solution to the
conflict in Cyprus. He will encourage all parties to co-operate with the UN and
reach a final agreement.
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A biographical note is attached.
For 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
Biographical Note
Michael R. Bell (B. Com [Economics], Queen's University, 1961). Born in Montreal,
Quebec, Mr. Bell joined the Department of External Affairs in 1961 and served
abroad in Olso (1962-65), London (1965-69), Lima (1969-71), Madrid (1971-75),and
Moscow (1979-81). In 1981, Mr. Bell returned to Lima as Ambassador. He was named
Ambassador to Moscow in 1990 and to The Hague in 1993. In Ottawa, Mr. Bell held a
number of positions including Assistant Deputy Minister, Latin America and
Caribbean Branch and later Assistant Deputy Minister, Special Projects. In 1996,
Mr. Bell was appointed Special Representative on NATO Enlargement. Mr. Bell is
married to Christine Bell and they have two children.
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