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<title>G-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS REACH AGREEMENT ON SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION FOR KOSOVO</title>
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<p><strong><font face="Arial"></strong></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong></strong></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>June 8, 1999 <em>(5:40 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 133</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"> </font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>G-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS REACH AGREEMENT ON </strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION FOR KOSOVO</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed the agreement reached by the G-8 Foreign Ministers
on a draft United Nations Security Council Resolution to implement the Kosovo peace agreement brokered by
Russian Special Envoy Viktor Chernomyrdin and Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari last week.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Minister Axworthy commended Russia and his other G-8 partners for their co-operation and perseverance in
forging this agreement, which he hailed as an important diplomatic turning point in the Kosovo crisis and a
major step toward lasting peace in Kosovo. The Minister urged quick adoption of the Resolution by the Security
Council. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"By defining the terms for an end to the hostilities, the Resolution paves the way for the safe return home of
over a million Kosovar refugees and internally displaced persons who were forced to flee the violence of the
Yugoslav regime," said Minister Axworthy. "It was the plight of these innocent civilians that compelled our
intervention in March. With today's agreement, we are a step closer to achieving our objective of restoring their
security, their hope and their future in Kosovo."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">This Resolution demands a verifiable withdrawal of Yugoslav troops from Kosovo and opens the door to a
suspension of NATO's air campaign. It authorizes international civilian and security presences to oversee and
implement the peace plan. The Resolution also contains provisions for the resumption of dialogue aimed at a
long-term political settlement on the status of Kosovo, with significant autonomy within Yugoslavia, and calls on
the international community to contribute to reconstruction efforts.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Canada will work with our Security Council partners in New York to build upon this very positive development
for peace in Kosovo," said Mr. Axworthy. "I am very pleased that the draft Resolution reflects Canadian
priorities such as the importance of demining and strong support for the International Criminal Tribunal for the
Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), both of which will contribute to ensuring the basis for an enduring and just peace." </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">By reiterating ICTY's role in Kosovo, the international community has recognized that there cannot be peace
without justice and that those who commit crimes against humanity will be held accountable. The draft
Resolution also demands full co-operation with the ICTY by the international security presence, and underlines
its responsibility to protect the freedom of movement of international organizations such as the ICTY. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The draft Resolution has been transmitted to New York this afternoon, where it will be </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">co-sponsored by Canada and the other G-8 countries.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact :</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Debora Brown</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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