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<title> AXWORTHY AND CHAN MEET WITH EAST TIMORESE ACTIVIST JOSÉ RAMOS-HORTA</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">October 26, 1998 <em>(5:50 p.m. EST)</em> No. 246</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"> AXWORTHY AND CHAN MEET WITH EAST TIMORESE ACTIVIST </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">JOSÉ RAMOS-HORTA</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan met today with
East Timorese activist and co-winner of the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. José Ramos-Horta, to discuss the
situation in East Timor.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Dr. Ramos-Horta and I spoke about the progress being made under the UN trilateral talks between Portugal
and Indonesia. We also spoke about how Canada might be able to help the East Timorese in preparing for their
future," said Minister Axworthy. "Canada is strongly supportive of the UN talks, and we encourage all parties to
seize the current unparalleled opportunity to reach a lasting political resolution with respect to East Timor. And
we firmly believe that the active participation of the East Timorese themselves is essential to the successful
negotiation of such a resolution."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Minister for International Co-operation and Minister responsible for La Francophonie Diane Marleau announced
that Canada would provide financial support to the next round of the All Inclusive Intra-East Timorese Dialogue
taking place October 30 in Austria. Canada will contribute $30 000 to the Dialogue through the Canadian
International Development Agency. This is additional to the financial support of </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">$60 000 provided to previous rounds of the Dialogue.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Canada is the third-largest donor in East Timor, with $1.1 million in aid provided each year," said Minister
Marleau. "This aid is channelled through NGOs and supports grassroots organizations in the areas of
agriculture, education and training, health and nutrition and women's programs."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">On his recent visit to Indonesia, Secretary of State Raymond Chan met with President Habibie, and discussed
the situation in East Timor with Foreign Affairs Minister Alatas and imprisoned East Timorese leader Xanana
Gusmao. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"President Habibie has offered wide-ranging autonomy to the territory, and discussions are proceeding on that
basis," said Mr. Chan. "We welcome this and the other changes that have occurred in Indonesia in recent
months, including the release of political prisoners, among whom were many East Timorese. We encourage the
Government of Indonesia to continue to release political prisoners, including Xanana Gusmao."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">East Timor, with a population of 800 000, is a former colony of Portugal. It was annexed as the 27th province of
Indonesia in 1976. Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize with Dr. Ramos-Horta, is also a key player in ongoing talks on the future of
East Timor.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">- 30 - </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">André Doren</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Co-operation</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">and Minister responsible for La Francophonie</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(819) 997-6919</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Hilary Humphrey</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1852</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Canadian International Development Agency</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(819) 953-6534</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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