NEWS RELEASES

September 8, 1998 No. 207

CLARIFICATION ON THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE VISIT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF LA FRANCOPHONIE

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade today clarified the government's responsibilities during visits to Canada by foreign dignitaries.

This clarification was made in the context of the official visit to Canada, which started Sunday, September 6, of Secretary-General of La Francophonie Boutros Boutros-Ghali. The Secretary-General first visited Moncton, Fredericton and Peggy's Cove. He is also scheduled to visit Toronto, Montréal, Québec, Sudbury and Ottawa.

The visit was planned by the federal government together with the relevant provincial governments, and has been organized in accordance with the prerogatives of governmental levels concerned. In addition, the federal government has been particularly careful to follow the division of responsibilities specified in its agreements with the governments of Quebec and New Brunswick as "participating governments" in La Francophonie.

Under Canadian and international law, the federal government has an obligation to provide security and protection to high-ranking foreign dignitaries while they are in Canada, including official representatives of international intergovernmental organizations. For this purpose, the government must ensure that the security measures put in place meet requirements of effectiveness and continuity.

It is also in a spirit of co-operation that the governments of Quebec and New Brunswick, as governments with "participating" status in La Francophonie, were invited to contribute to the program of the visit.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca