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<title>CANADA TO CHAIR CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>January 22, 2001 <em>(11:45 a.m. EST)</em> No. 9</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"> <strong>CANADA TO CHAIR CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial">John Manley, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada will preside over the initial session of
the 2001 Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. Canada's Ambassador for Disarmament, Christopher
Westdal, will chair the Conference from January 22 until Canada relinquishes its presidency to Chile on
February 18.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"The Conference on Disarmament is a vital institution for multilateral co-operation on non-proliferation and
disarmament," said Minister Manley. "The promotion of global peace and security is a central element in
Canadian foreign policy, and we are pleased to take on the responsibility of chairing the Conference at this
critical juncture in disarmament affairs."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Conference on Disarmament is the world's sole multilateral negotiating forum for disarmament issues, with
a scope that includes both conventional weapons and weapons of mass destruction. The Conference or its
predecessors conceived most of the key multilateral disarmament agreements, including the Non-Proliferation
Treaty (NPT), the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), the Chemical Weapons Convention
(CWC) and, most recently, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Despite its past successes, the Conference on Disarmament is currently deadlocked due to conflicting priorities
among member states. With disarmament progress slowing, Canada will spare no effort as chair to bridge the
current divide between members. Canada last chaired the Conference in 1993.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
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<p><font face="Arial">Jennifer Sloan</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Director of Communications</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International
Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
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