NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY WELCOMES U.S. DE-MINING INITIATIVE
October 31, 1997 No. 176
AXWORTHY WELCOMES U.S. DE-MINING INITIATIVE
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed the joint announcement by
United States Secretary of State Albright and Secretary of Defense Cohen that the
United States would be participating as observers at the signing conference for
the treaty banning anti-personnel landmines in Ottawa from December 2 to 4.
"We welcome all countries, participants and observers, and we are particularly
pleased that the United States will be represented at the conference. Today's
announcement builds further momentum as we approach the December conference," said
Mr. Axworthy.
The Minister also welcomed the Secretaries' announcement of new initiatives in the
U.S. contribution to international humanitarian de-mining, including its financial
contribution
of close to US$80 million for 1998 and the appointment of Mr. Karl F. Inderfurth
as Special Representative of the President and the Secretary of State for Global
De-Mining.
"This significant new initiative confirms that the United States takes the
international humanitarian landmine crisis very seriously," added Mr. Axworthy.
"We look forward to the United States joining us in the coming months and years as
Ottawa Process II leads to an increased global response to humanitarian
de-mining and landmine victim assistance."
In addition, the Secretaries indicated that the U.S. Administration intends to
launch a process, including both the public and private sector, to raise $1
billion to eradicate "implaced mines that threaten civilian populations" by the
year 2010. To this end, Mr. Inderfurth will organize a series of preparatory
meetings leading to a "major global humanitarian conference" in 1998.
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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
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(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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