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<title>CANADA CONCERNED ABOUT INSTABILITY IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">August 14, 1998 No. 190</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADA CONCERNED ABOUT INSTABILITY </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today condemned the continuing inter-ethnic conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the worsening
atmosphere of exclusion and discrimination. He also voiced his concerns regarding
the renewed instability in the Congo and the African Great Lakes region.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada welcomes and supports the efforts of the region's leaders to ensure the
territorial integrity of the Congo and regrets that their call for a cessation of
hostilities made at the Victoria Falls meeting has fallen on deaf ears," said
Minister Axworthy. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Axworthy also noted that national reconciliation, at every level and in every
region, must remain the primary objective in the country. He called on all the
parties to the conflict to resume discussions as soon as possible to implement the
required constitutional reforms and to lay the groundwork for democratic public
consultations to legitimize the authorities.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada remains deeply concerned by statements that are exacerbating the violence
and ethnic discrimination," said Mr. Axworthy. "Canada encourages all the parties
to the conflict, from the Congo authorities to the leaders of the rebellion and
neighbouring countries, to ensure that the human rights of every individual in the
Congo are respected, to cease enlisting children as soldiers, and to exhibit
justice and restraint in order to restore calm."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Since last week, Canada has advised its citizens in the Congo to contact the
Embassy and leave the country as soon as possible. Some Canadians have already
taken flights or convoys to leave Kinshasa and the Kivu region, where fighting has
occurred. Some 500 Canadians who are registered with the Embassy remain in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo.</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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