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<title>AXWORTHY TRAVELS INTERNATIONALLY TO EXPLORE DIPLOMATIC SOLUTIONS TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">April 28, 1999 <em>(11:40 a.m. EDT)</em> No. 94</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>AXWORTHY TRAVELS INTERNATIONALLY TO EXPLORE </strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>DIPLOMATIC SOLUTIONS TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS</strong></font><font face="Arial"></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy will visit Russia, Greece, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
(FYR Macedonia) and Egypt, April 29 to May 2, to explore how the international community can address the
humanitarian situation in Kosovo and<ins> </ins>how a diplomatic resolution to the crisis can be reached. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Minister Axworthy will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov in Moscow on April 30 to review recent
Russian efforts related to Kosovo, recognizing that both NATO and Russia have a strong interest in bringing long-term stability to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and to the Balkans region. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"The five conditions Mr. Milosevic must accept have been clearly set out by NATO, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the European Union.<ins> </ins>I will be seeking to develop a common view with Russia of what
needs to be done to convince Mr. Milosevic to accept these conditions," Mr. Axworthy said. "Russian engagement
is essential to allow the UN Security Council to play its role in the search for peace."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">While in Moscow, Minister Axworthy will also meet with Mr. Annan. They will discuss possible UN and Security
Council action to address the humanitarian crisis in and around Kosovo. Canada advocates an active Security
Council role in helping to resolve the Kosovo crisis and recognizes that Russia, as a permanent member holding a
veto over Security Council actions, has a crucial role to play.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Mr. Axworthy leaves Russia for Athens on April 30, where he plans to meet with Greek Foreign Minister George
Papandreou. Greece, a NATO member, has played an important role in seeking to relieve the humanitarian crisis
afflicting its immediate neighbours,<strike> </strike>Albania and FYR Macedonia, and Mr. Axworthy wishes to benefit from
Greece's assessment of the requirements for maintaining stability in the region.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"At last weekend's Summit in Washington, NATO members met with representatives of the countries immediately
surrounding Yugoslavia," said Mr. Axworthy. "The clear message, which I intend to reiterate in my upcoming
meetings, was one of solidarity, in terms of both the front-line states' support for NATO's current action and
NATO's resolve to support the immediate needs of these countries as well as their long-term political and
economic stability."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Mr. Axworthy will be in Skopje, FYR Macedonia, May 1, where he will review with government leaders the social
and financial pressures that have been placed on the country by the large influx of refugees driven by the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia from Kosovo. Mr. Axworthy will visit the Stenkovec refugee camp, where he will get a first-hand view of conditions and meet with Canadian aid workers. His visit follows the tour of the region earlier in the
current conflict by Canada's special envoy Raphael Girard, Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
and FYR Macedonia. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Later on May 1, Mr. Axworthy will travel to Cairo, Egypt, where he will meet with his counterpart, Foreign Minister
Amr Moussa, and seek his assessment of the conflict from his perspective as senior statesman of the Arab world.
As a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, Egypt can play an important role in the efforts of the United Nations
to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial"></font><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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