NEWS RELEASES

September 17, 2000 (4:45 p.m. EDT) No. 237

CANADIAN AND NORWEGIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS

ANNOUNCE SUPPORT FOR OLYMPIC AID

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Norwegian Foreign Minister Thorbjorn Jagland today announced a C$1.25 million contribution to Olympic Aid for the initiative's work on war-affected children.

"As our Olympians begin their quest for Olympic medals in Sydney, they have also shown a true Olympic spirit in rallying support for the war-affected children of the world," said Mr. Jagland. "To support this initiative, I am happy to announce a contribution of C$1 million to Olympic Aid, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and UNICEF toward their work for war-affected children in Sudan and Eritrea."

"The Olympic ideal of a commitment to world peace is something we still aspire to," said Mr. Axworthy. "In the true spirit of the games, Olympic Aid has made children its priority. I am pleased to make this contribution along with Norway as a demonstration of our own commitment to children and our belief in the spirit that the Olympic movement represents."

Olympic Aid was founded in 1994 by Johann Olav Koss, Norwegian Olympic gold-medal speed skater. Several former and present Olympic athletes, among them Canadian gold-medal rower Silken Laumann, have since joined the effort. Under the slogan "The Right to Play," they are trying to bring moments of happiness and hope to children in war-torn societies.

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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

The Web site of the Winnipeg International Conference on War-Affected Children is: http://www.waraffectedchildren.gc.ca