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<title>CANADIAN DOCTOR TO ASSIST AT ABIOLA AUTOPSY</title>
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<p><font face="CG Times"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">July 8, 1998 No. 168</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADIAN DOCTOR TO ASSIST AT ABIOLA AUTOPSY</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy announced today that a Canadian doctor
would assist in the autopsy to be performed on Chief Moshood Abiola, the Nigerian
political leader who died of an apparent heart attack on July 7, 1998, while in
detention.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">Dr. James Young, Chief Coroner for the Province of Ontario, will be the Canadian
member of an international team from Britain, the United States and Canada. The
team will examine the body of Chief Abiola and investigate the circumstances in
order to establish the cause of death.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">"I am pleased that Canada is able to respond positively to a request for
assistance from the Abiola family," said </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">Mr. Axworthy. "Dr. Young is a distinguished Canadian public servant and scientist
whose specialization is in forensic science, and he will bring a unique blend of
experience and knowledge to this examination."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">The team of doctors will travel to Lagos immediately. The Nigerian government has
agreed to the terms of this request by the Abiola family.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier New">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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