NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY, KILGOUR TO PARTICIPATE IN OPEN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
January 21, 2000 (3:15 p.m. EST) No. 6
AXWORTHY, KILGOUR TO PARTICIPATE IN OPEN SECURITY
COUNCIL MEETING ON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Secretary of State (Latin America and
Africa) David Kilgour today announced that they would take part in the open meeting
of the United Nations Security Council on the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC) in New York on January 24. Mr. Kilgour will remain for the continuation of the
debate on January 25.
"In co-operation with the international community, we will attempt to forge a broader
consensus among the main players in the Congolese conflict with a view to ensuring
and supporting the implementation of the Lusaka accord," said Mr. Axworthy. "An
end must be brought to this tragedy, which is injuring, displacing and killing
thousands of civilians, including women and children."
During his January 24 address before the United Nations Security Council,
Mr. Axworthy will discuss Canada's commitment and the active role our country
plans to play in developing the stabilization and peacebuilding process in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mr. Axworthy will also emphasize Canada's
commitment to defending human security and the protection of civilians in armed
conflict. The Minister will stress the promotion of inter-Congolese dialogue,
consultation and humanitarian assistance, as well as the importance of supporting
democratic and institutional development in the DRC.
"We will join forces with Congolese civil society to promote inter-Congolese
dialogue, which we feel is the cornerstone on which to build the democratic
institutions that will ensure peace and security in the DRC," said Mr. Kilgour.
Mr. Axworthy and Mr. Kilgour will hold bilateral meetings during their stay in New
York to ensure a productive dialogue aimed at advancing the stabilization and
peacebuilding process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Mr. Axworthy will also meet with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to
discuss Canada's protection of civilians in armed conflict initiative as it prepares to
assume the presidency of the Security Council for the month of April 2000.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Tasha Stefanis
Office of the Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)
(613) 944-2162
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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