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<title>AXWORTHY WELCOMES NIGERIAN ANNOUNCEMENT TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">July 20, 1998 No. 177</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AXWORTHY WELCOMES NIGERIAN ANNOUNCEMENT TO RESTORE
DEMOCRACY</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed the announcement by
General Abdulsalam Abubakar that Nigeria would install a democratically elected,
civilian government by May 29, 1999, as well as the decision to release all
political prisoners.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"These decisions appear to open the way to the democratic reforms that Canada has
been urging the Nigerians to put in place since the annulment of the 1993
presidential elections," Mr. Axworthy said. "It is clear that General Abubakar
has listened to the Nigerian people's demands for democracy. We are prepared to
work with the Nigerians as they bring these changes into effect."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Abubakar stated that the current government-approved political parties would be
abolished, and that new parties would be encouraged to participate in elections
to be held at all levels from local to presidential. Mr. Axworthy said that the
10-month transition period announced by General Abubakar is reasonable for the
regime to implement such a far-reaching program.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Axworthy said he was particularly pleased with the release of 10 more
prisoners of conscience today, and welcomed the announcement that all political
prisoners would be freed.</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</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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