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<title>KILGOUR TO VISIT LATIN AMERICA</title>
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<p><font face="Times New Roman"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">April 28, 1998 No. 102</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">KILGOUR TO VISIT LATIN AMERICA</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) David Kilgour announced today that
he will lead a delegation to Ecuador, Venezuela, Panama and Costa Rica from May 1
to 8. The visit will build on solid relationships by enhancing Canada's
bilateral, political and economic relations. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"This visit will promote mutual understanding as we dialogue on bilateral,
regional and multilateral issues," said Kilgour. "As well, it is important to
underline the increasing importance of Canadian trade and investment in the
region."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">With a view to further strengthening bilateral ties with Ecuador, Kilgour will
encourage negotiations of a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) and discuss good
governance, regional security and integration, promotion of the Free Trade Area
of the Americas (FTAA), and issues regarding Indigenous Peoples. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">While in Venezuela, which is one of the most active members of the Andean
community, Kilgour will discuss Canada's support of the economic reform process
in that country and touch on issues of co-operation in the areas of judicial
reform, human rights, Indigenous Peoples, governance, Santiago Summit follow-up,
and Haiti. Bilateral trade with Venezuela increased to almost $2 billion in 1997. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">During his visit to Panama, Kilgour will highlight the strong ties between the
two countries and offer support to ongoing Indigenous projects. He will also
lobby on behalf of Canadian mining companies renegotiating their mining
concessions in Panama. Canadian companies now hold close to 70 percent of all
mining concessions in the country. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">While in Costa Rica, Kilgour will represent the Government of Canada at the
inaugural ceremony of the newly elected president, Miguel Angel Rodriguez.
Kilgour's attendance in Costa Rica will reaffirm Canada's presence in the region. </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">Sara Mohsin</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 992-9404</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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