NEWS RELEASES

March 26, 1997 No. 63

STEWART VISITS KENYA AND SOUTH AFRICA

Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) Christine Stewart visited Kenya and South Africa from March 21 to 26. It was Mrs. Stewart's first official visit to Kenya, and included a full range of discussions aimed at furthering Canada's bilateral relations with Kenya.

In Nairobi, Mrs. Stewart met President Daniel Arap Moi, Vice President George Saitoti and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kalonzo Musyoka as well as representatives of the human rights community and reform-minded political and business figures. She and President Moi discussed the conflict in the African Great Lakes region. Kenya has played a pivotal role in regional negotiations on this issue.

While in South Africa, Mrs. Stewart met with government ministers and senior officials as part of Canada's ongoing discussions with South Africa on the Great Lakes conflict, land mines and other common agenda items. She also attended meetings on Canadian bilateral and partnership programs in South Africa.

"Canada values greatly South Africa's perspectives and suggestions on issues critical to the region. With the ongoing strife in Central Africa, it is essential to enhance our dialogue whenever possible as we search for a means to lessen human suffering," Mrs. Stewart said.

Secretary of State Stewart was accompanied to Kenya and South Africa by a Canadian business delegation representing the telecommunications sector. "We hope to see increasing Canadian company involvement in this sector as these countries' economies continue to grow," said Mrs. Stewart.

Mrs. Stewart took part in the Tel.Com '97 Telecommunications Conference and Exhibition in Johannesburg. She met South African Minister for Posts and Communications Jay Naidoo and joined him in some of the Tel.Com '97 activities. In Cape Town, Mrs. Stewart was the keynote speaker at the Canada-South Africa Trade and Investment Seminar and met the Premier of the Western Cape, Hernus Kriel.

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