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<title>CHAN TO VISIT INDONESIA</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">October 8, 1998 <em> (4:45 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 239</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">CHAN TO VISIT INDONESIA </font><font face="Courier"></font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan will visit Indonesia from October
11 to 14. Mr. Chan's visit will enable him to obtain firsthand information on the
current situation in Indonesia regarding, in particular, human rights, the social
impact of the current economic crisis and the political development in the
country. He will also review the status of Canada's assistance package announced
last April.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Dramatic changes have taken place in Indonesia since April, when I visited
Indonesia as the Prime Minister's special envoy," said Mr. Chan. "This visit
attests to Canada's commitment to help bring about political and economic
stability, the establishment of democracy and respect for human rights in
Indonesia. We remain concerned about the human rights abuses and acts of violence
that occurred in Indonesia last spring, especially against the ethnic Chinese and
other minorities. My visit will be an opportunity to impress upon the Indonesian
government the importance of investigating the matter thoroughly, to identify the
perpetrators and provide redress and rehabilitation for the victims. Canada stands
ready to help in any way it can to bring this about." </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Chan hopes to pay a call on President Habibie. His program includes meetings
with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs and Justice, and a group of
parliamentarians. Mr. Chan will also meet with grassroots organizations involved
in victim assistance, with non-governmental organizations, such as the Legal Aid
Foundation, and with academics and students. He is also scheduled to meet with
Muchtar Pakpahan, the independent labour leader who has recently been released
from prison, and with members of the business community to discuss how the
economic crisis has affected them and their prospects for the future. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Hilary Humphrey</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1852</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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