NEWS RELEASES

October 6, 2000 (5:10 p.m. EDT) No. 253

AXWORTHY WELCOMES RELEASE OF DETAINED CANADIAN IN YUGOSLAVIA

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy expressed satisfaction that Liam Hall was released by the Yugoslav military authorities earlier today. Mr. Hall has now left Yugoslavia and will arrive in Canada tomorrow afternoon

"The release of Liam Hall is welcome news, coming in the midst of the developments in Yugoslavia," said Minister Axworthy. "We appreciate the close co-operation of the U.K. government and the intense diplomatic efforts undertaken on behalf of the detainees by the international community, particularly the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and Russia."

It is understood from the Yugoslav authorities that the other detained Canadian, Shaun Going, will be formally charged with illegal possession of explosive equipment and that he may be released on bail shortly thereafter. Officials at the Canadian Embassy have spoken to Mr. Going, and he remains in good health and spirits.

"It is deeply regrettable that Mr. Going was not also released at the same time as his nephew," said Mr. Axworthy. "The Canadian chargé d'affaires raised his situation during a meeting with President-elect Vojislav Kostunica this morning, and we will continue to press for his early release."

Two British citizens who were detained at the same time as the Canadians were also released today. All four men were arrested on August 1 while en route back to Kosovo from a weekend holiday in Montenegro. The Yugoslav military conducted an investigation, alleging that the detainees were involved in terrorism and espionage.

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