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<title>AXWORTHY OUTRAGED BY REPORTS OFSERBIAN MINING</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">June 13, 1998 No. 158</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AXWORTHY OUTRAGED BY REPORTS OF</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">SERBIAN MINING</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy was outraged by reports that Serbia is
laying anti-personnel (AP) mines along the border between Kosovo and Albania. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"This action is absolutely contrary to the will expressed by 126 countries which
have signed the Ottawa Convention banning the use of AP mines," said Mr.
Axworthy. "The fact that these instruments of terror will prevent the safe return
of refugees to their homes is particularly offensive.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"If these reports are confirmed, President Milosevic's disregard for the concerns
of the international community will lead to a further deterioration of the
situation in Kosovo. We call on Serbia to stop the use of these odious weapons
now." </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Yesterday, Minister Axworthy and his Group of Eight (G-8) counterparts called on
President Milosevic to cease all action by the security forces affecting the
civilian population, to enable effective and continuous international monitoring
in Kosovo, to facilitate the return of refugees to their homes and to make rapid
progress in the dialogue with the Kosovo Albanian leadership.</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 Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister Department of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851 (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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