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<title>AXWORTHY CALLS ON SECURITY COUNCIL TO ACT IN FACE OF WORSENING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN KOSOVO</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">October 1, 1998 No. 227</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AXWORTHY CALLS ON SECURITY COUNCIL TO ACT IN FACE OF
WORSENING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN KOSOVO</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy met today in New York with United Nations
Secretary-General Kofi Annan to express his deep concern over the humanitarian
crisis in Kosovo. He also outlined Canada's further efforts to encourage a
peaceful resolution to the conflict in Kosovo, and announced that he would send a
personal envoy to the region.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">In his meeting with Mr. Annan, Mr. Axworthy reiterated Canada's strong support for
UN Security Council Resolution 1199, which calls for an immediate cease fire,
urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis, and negotiations toward a
political settlement. Canada calls upon the members of the Security Council to
ensure full compliance by the parties with their obligations under the Resolution.
Canada therefore supports further unequivocal Security Council action, consistent
with the Council's responsibility to safeguard international peace and security.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"I am profoundly dismayed and saddened by the atrocities being inflicted upon the
civilian population in Kosovo," said </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Axworthy. Canada holds the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(FRY), including President Milosevic, directly accountable for the actions of
Yugoslav security forces in Kosovo."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Minister is sending a personal representative to Belgrade and Pristina next
week to once again convey Canadian concerns to the Yugoslav authorities and to the
leaders of the Albanian Kosovars. The envoy will deliver letters from Mr. Axworthy
to the Yugoslav Foreign Affairs Minister, Zivadin Jovanovic, and to the President
of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova. Mr. Axworthy is also writing
to his Russian counterpart, Igor Ivanov, to seek Russia's support for decisive
action by the international community.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada hopes that the U.S.-led diplomatic initiative under Ambassador Hill will
be successful in reaching an interim autonomy status for Kosovo," Mr. Axworthy
added. "Only meaningful autonomy for Kosovo within the borders of the FRY will
address the root causes of the conflict."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Minister Axworthy applauded the unanimous support of the House of Commons
yesterday for a resolution calling on the Government of the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia and the parties involved in the inhumane confrontation, to lay down
their arms immediately. It also urges them to start negotiating a solution with
the help of international organizations, including the United Nations and the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), as well as other
organizations, that share the belief that there can be a lasting, political
solution.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canada has participated in NATO planning for possible action on Kosovo, and
continues to support NATO's role in international efforts to end the conflict.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Axworthy previously condemned the use of anti-personnel mines by all
belligerent parties, and the FRY government's refusal to co-operate with the
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia on allegations of war
crimes in Kosovo.</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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