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<title>MINISTERS ANNOUNCE CREATION OF CENTRE FOR MINE-ACTION TECHNOLOGIES </title>
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<p><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">August 25, 1998 No. 200</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">MINISTERS ANNOUNCE CREATION OF </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CENTRE FOR MINE-ACTION TECHNOLOGIES </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy, National Defence Minister Art Eggleton
and Industry Minister John Manley today announced that Canada is continuing its
leadership role in the global movement to eliminate anti-personnel (AP) mines with
the creation of a Centre for Mine-Action Technologies at the Defence Research
Establishment in Suffield, Alberta.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Centre will be established through a commitment of $17 million over five years
from Canada's $100 million Landmines Fund announced last December at the
international signing conference for the Ottawa Convention. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The sum of $17 million will be invested in technology research to make
humanitarian mine-clearance faster, safer and more effective, and to investigate
alternatives to anti-personnel mines. Potential projects may include the
development of AP mine neutralization equipment and protective equipment for
demining personnel and vehicles, as well as work on a range of victim assistance
technologies. The Centre will also provide a means for the exchange of research
within an international network of scientists in other countermine laboratories.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"This Centre represents a partnership between defence and industry that recalls
the spirit of partnership established during the Ottawa Process," said Mr.
Axworthy. "That spirit is alive and well, not only in the Ottawa Convention but
also in our comprehensive framework for action. The Centre will allow us to
greatly enhance our contribution to demining and victim assistance as part of that
framework." </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">To help ensure that Canadian research and development responds to the needs of
those affected by anti-personnel mines, the Centre will be guided by
multidisciplinary Executive and Management Committees. Representatives from the
non-governmental organization, Mines Action Canada, have been invited to sit on
both Committees.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"The Canadian Forces' experience in demining has shown that appropriate technology
and techniques are vital for mine-clearance projects to work as safely and
effectively as they should," said Minister Eggleton. "Additionally, alternatives
are crucial if non-signatory countries are to be persuaded to sign the treaty
banning anti-personnel mines. The Centre will conduct research and gather
information to show that viable and more humane alternatives, which do not target
civilians, can be developed as a way to persuade hold-out countries to sign the
Convention."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Canadian Forces have been conducting military and humanitarian mine clearance
for many years in diverse peacekeeping operations including those in Cyprus,
Kuwait, Bosnia, Somalia, Rwanda and Cambodia. They have also provided demining
training for refugees from Afghanistan.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Their experience has shown that every mine clearance project has different
requirements, depending on local conditions. The research and development work of
the Centre will help ensure that appropriate technologies are available to meet
the broad range of conditions and circumstances faced in mine clearance. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"The Centre will serve as a showcase and a clearing house for Canadian expertise,"
said Minister Manley. "Its research, development, commercialization and marketing
of Canadian industry will help remove anti-personnel mines faster and more
effectively."</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Debora Brown</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">Elaine McArdle</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of National Defence</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 996-3100</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Ron Watkins</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Aerospace and Defence Branch</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Industry Canada</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 954-3343</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">Media Liaison Officer</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of National Defence</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 996-2353</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca and on the
Department of National Defence Internet site: http://www.dnd.ca</font></p>
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