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<title>CANADA CONGRATULATES NORAD ON ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">May 12, 1998 No. 119</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADA CONGRATULATES NORAD ON ITS </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">40TH ANNIVERSARY</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and National Defence Minister Art
Eggleton today congratulated the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD)
on its 40th anniversary.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"The agreement reached 40 years ago between Canada and the United States on
continental air defence remains as vital today as it was when it was created,"
said Mr. Axworthy. "Although the Cold War is over, NORAD has adapted to a
changing world and will continue to play a critical role in the defence and
security of North America."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">NORAD has been the cornerstone of Canada-U.S. defence </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">co-operation since its formal inception on May 12, 1958. The original purpose of
the agreement was to provide air defence against long-range Soviet bombers. That
role expanded during the Cold War to include deterrence and early warning of
missile attacks. As its role changed, so did its name -- "aerospace" replaced
"air" in 1981.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"I am proud to salute the professionalism and dedication of the men and women of
Canada and the United States who have protected us through the changes of the
last four decades," said </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Eggleton. "Today, NORAD is involved in a large number of activities that
protect and enhance the well-being of Canadians."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">During the 1990s, NORAD has been transformed from a largely Cold War defence
arrangement to one that meets the challenges of this decade and beyond. NORAD's
mission reflects the new strategic environment, focussing on aerospace warning
and aerospace control for North America. Its activities include the monitoring of
man-made objects in space; surveillance and control -- including air defence --
over Canadian and U.S. airspace; and the detection, validation and warning of
aerospace attacks against North America.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">NORAD provides a major gateway for Canadian participation in space, through
operations, activities and related research and technology. It is also an
important vehicle for the implementation of Canadian space programs under the
Joint Space Project. In addition, it plays a significant role in combatting the
trafficking in illegal drugs en route to North America, and monitors the orbital
decay of space objects, providing warning and predicted points of impact on
earth.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canada's national capabilities in communications, surveillance, navigation,
meteorology, mapping, intelligence and arms control verification are all enhanced
by its participation in NORAD.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
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<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">Nicole Bourget</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of
National Defence</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 996-3100</font></p>
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<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 Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of National Defence</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 996-2353</font></p>
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<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> </font></p>
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