NEWS RELEASES

May 19, 2000 (4:45 p.m. EDT) No. 113

AXWORTHY CONDEMNS YUGOSLAV REPRESSION

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today condemned the intensification of repressive measures by the Milosevic regime against the free media and democratic opposition in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). The Minister singled out for particular criticism the use of violence against protesters.

"Independent and pluralistic media are essential to a free and open society and to democratic systems of government," said Minister Axworthy. "The Yugoslav authorities are making every attempt, including the use of force, to stifle dissenting voices. In the past few days we have witnessed increasingly desperate attempts to harass, intimidate and make scapegoats of opposition activists. These events are the latest evidence that this regime has no respect for a free and open society, and that the leadership does not consider itself to be accountable to its own citizens."

On May 24 and 25, Minister Axworthy will attend NATO ministerial meetings in Florence, Italy, where he will raise the issue of the intensifying repression within the FRY with his colleagues. In co-ordination with allies, the Canadian government will review further possible responses to the crackdown, as well as means to demonstrate our continuing support for independent media and democratic reform in the FRY.

Minister Axworthy underlined Canada's continuing support for the forces that are urging peaceful, democratic change in the FRY. "The people of Serbia -- the opposition, the independent media and civil society -- are trying to make their voices heard. Their situation cannot improve under the leadership of an indicted war criminal. They deserve the support of the international community in their courageous struggle for democratic transition, which will allow their country to take its rightful place within Europe."

The Yugoslav chargé d'affaires was called in by senior officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to be officially informed of Canada's protest over recent events. According to the Canadian embassy registry in Belgrade, 269 Canadian citizens are in the FRY at the moment.

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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