NEWS RELEASES

March 14, 1997 No. 48

AXWORTHY SATISFIED WITH EVACUATION OF

CANADIANS FROM ALBANIA

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy expressed satisfaction with the evacuation of most Canadians from the capital of Albania, with the help of the British Embassy in Tirana. A representative of the Canadian Embassy in Budapest, which serves Albania, accompanied the Canadians aboard an Italian naval vessel. After leaving Durrës (Durrazzo), they will land in Brindisi, in southeastern Italy today. They will be greeted by the Canadian consul in Italy, who has offered them the necessary consular services.

Mr. Axworthy expressed very serious concern about Albania's deteriorating domestic situation. He urged all Albanians to give the country's new prime minister a chance. "Canada sympathizes with the people of Albania, who have endured financial and economic hardship. However, restraint must be shown by avoiding the use of force and by laying down arms immediately," he added.

Mr. Axworthy urged "all political forces in Albania to continue dialogue aimed at holding free, honest and safe elections." In this connection, Canada welcomed the agreement reached on March 9 among Albania's political parties to form a "national reconciliation" government and to hold legislative elections by June. Canada also fully supports the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) mission assigned to former Austrian Chancellor Franz Vranitzky, who held productive meetings with President Berisha and representatives of political parties on March 8. Canada was actively involved in the OSCE efforts that led to this mediation, and encourages Albania to use the Organization's resources and expertise, especially for the smooth conduct of the elections.

Mr. Axworthy urged the Prime Minister of Albania to work closely with international financial institutions to continue reform. Finally, he called on Albanian authorities to clear up financial bankruptcies, and to adopt the necessary acts and regulations to better govern the banking sector and financial corporations.

On March 13, the Department issued an advisory to Canadians, urging them to leave Albania under current circumstances. About 16 Canadians are known to the Canadian Embassy in Budapest, which serves Albania. Most live in the Tirana area. A representative of the Embassy was in Tirana today to repatriate Canadians in the capital of Albania, in co-operation with the British Embassy.

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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