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<title>AXWORTHY AND STEWART CALL ON SIERRA LEONETO RESTORE DEMOCRACY AFTER COUP</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">May 27, 1997 No. 98</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AXWORTHY AND STEWART CALL ON SIERRA LEONE</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY AFTER COUP</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Secretary of State (Latin America and
Africa) Christine Stewart today strongly condemned the third military takeover in
Sierra Leone in five years and called for the speedy restoration of constitutional
order.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"The forcible overthrow of civilian President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah's elected
government is unacceptable," said Mr. Axworthy. "It is all the more tragic after
Sierra Leone's real progress toward democracy, peace and economic reconstruction
since early last year. We call on our Commonwealth partners and the international
community to join in pressing for an immediate peaceful return to democracy".</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"It is important that Sierra Leone continue to follow the democratic course it has
set for itself," said Mrs. Stewart. "Canada urges the Commonwealth Ministerial
Action Group to consider the issue at its next meeting in early July and make
recommendations to Heads of Government."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canada has played a leadership role in the Action Group, which was created after a
1995 initiative by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to promote democracy, respect for
human rights and good governance in member countries. By virtue of its membership
in the Commonwealth, Sierra Leone, like all members, has undertaken to uphold and
safeguard these fundamental values.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canada assisted the 1996 elections in several ways, notably through a technical
expert and voter education, and has followed up with help for strengthening the
judiciary. The Canadian International Development Agency has also provided
humanitarian and food aid to Sierra Leoneans.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canadians have been advised to defer all travel to the country. The small number
of Canadians already in Sierra Leone are urged to respect the curfew and contact
the British High Commission as soon as possible. Canada has no diplomatic
representation in Sierra Leone. Consular services are provided through the
Canadian High Commission in Ghana.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Catherine Lappe</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Director of Communications</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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