NEWS RELEASES

November 15, 1999 (4:30 p.m. EST) No. 247

CANADA IMPLEMENTS UN SANCTIONS ON TALIBAN

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that, as of November 14, Canada has implemented regulations that put into effect sanctions against the Taliban in Afghanistan consistent with UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution 1267 of October 15.

"The Taliban's sponsorship of terrorist activities led to the unanimous adoption of the UNSC resolution and its proposed sanctions," said Mr. Axworthy. "In implementing the sanctions, we are joining the international community's condemnation of the conduct of the Taliban regime."

The UN-sponsored sanctions will freeze Taliban assets and ban flights owned, leased or operated by the Taliban from taking off or landing internationally. Flights that have been approved for humanitarian aims, or for religious purposes such as the Hajj, are exempted.

The sanctions came into effect on November 14, the deadline imposed by the UNSC resolution for the Taliban to co-operate with international efforts to bring indicted terrorists -- including Osama bin Laden -- to a country where they can be brought to justice. The resolution also demands that the Taliban desist from providing sanctuary and training for international terrorists and their organizations, and ensure that its territory not be used for terrorist installations and camps, or for the preparation or organization of terrorist acts.

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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