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<title>AXWORTHY TO ATTEND OPENING CEREMONY OF WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES IN JAPAN</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">February 3, 1998 No. 25</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AXWORTHY TO ATTEND OPENING CEREMONY OF WINTER
OLYMPIC GAMES IN JAPAN</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy will travel to Japan following an
invitation by Japanese Foreign Minister Obuchi to represent Canada at the Opening
Ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Nagano on February 7, 1998. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"It is my pleasure to attend the opening of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games," said
Minister Axworthy. "I am confident that Japan will make this a very successful
event, and I look forward to strong performances by Canadian athletes in Nagano." </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Minister Axworthy will also meet with his Japanese counterpart Foreign Minister
Obuchi and representatives of other governments to discuss bilateral and
international co-operation, including Canada's bid for UN Security Council
membership and the Canadian-led initiative to ban anti-personnel land mines. Last
December, in Ottawa, Japan joined 122 other states as a signatory of the land
mines treaty.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Japan is an increasingly important partner for Canada at all levels. I am
particularly grateful for the compassion demonstrated by Japan to Canadian
victims of the devastating ice storm. This gesture illustrates the strong
friendship that exists between the Canadian and Japanese people," said Mr.
Axworthy, in reference to a recent financial contribution by the Japanese
government. The relief package is being managed by the Canadian Red Cross to
assist victims of the January ice storm in Eastern Canada.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The 18th Winter Olympic Games will take place in Nagano, Japan, from February 7
to 22, 1998. </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">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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