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<title>AXWORTHY COMMENTS ON DEATH OF NIGERIA'S GENERAL ABACHA</title>
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<p><strong><font face="Courier"></strong></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"><strong></strong></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">June 9, 1998 No. 154</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AXWORTHY COMMENTS ON DEATH OF NIGERIA'S GENERAL
ABACHA</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today responded to the news of Nigerian
Head of State Sani Abacha's death on June 8.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"I have been informed of the passing away of General Abacha. In his country,
General Abacha was Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council. This body's
principal task is to bring Nigeria through a three-year transition to democratic
government and the rule of law."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"We trust that the death of its Chairman will not deter the Council from
achieving its vital objective and may spur its members to ensure the full
participation of all Nigerians in the upcoming election."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"On the eve of the fifth anniversary of the election of Chief Moshood Abiola, the
Council has a historic opportunity to support the democratic process in Nigeria
by releasing Chief Abiola and other political prisoners."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Minister Axworthy made his comments while attending the Organization of African
Unity (OAU) Summit in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.</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">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">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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