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<title>UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES TO VISIT CANADA</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">November 3, 1998<em> (11:30 a.m. EST)</em> No. 251</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES TO VISIT CANADA</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Lucienne Robillard today
announced that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Sadako Ogata, will make an
official visit to Canada from November 4 to 6.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">While in Ottawa, on November 4 and 5, the High Commissioner will meet with Ministers Axworthy and
Robillard, as well as with Minister for International </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Co-operation and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie Diane Marleau and Minister of National Defence
Art Eggleton.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Of all the challenges to global human security, refugee issues rank among the most serious," said Mr.
Axworthy. "Canada recognizes and supports the work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,
and acknowledges the tremendous contribution Mrs. Ogata has made personally as a champion for refugees
everywhere. Canada has actively worked with the High Commissioner over the years to address the needs of
refugees, but has also worked to find peaceful solutions to the political upheavals and civil conflicts that are so
often at the root of refugee crises."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Canada and the UNHCR believe that the best way to resolve the problems facing refugees is to ensure that
they can return safely to their homes. But we also recognize that for some refugees, resettlement in a third
country is the preferred option," said Madame Robillard.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Madame Robillard, who also met with Mrs. Ogata and her officials in Geneva in September, highlighted
Canada's present renewal of our immigration and refugee legislation. "We are always seeking to improve our
systems, and we have consulted UNHCR early in this process and much value its views. I am looking forward
to friendly and productive exchanges with the High Commissioner on all common concerns, including the
pressures on our refugee determination system caused by migrant trafficking of non-genuine refugee
claimants." </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Through CIDA, Canada is a strong supporter of the UNHCR, helping bring timely and critical humanitarian
assistance to refugees in many parts of the world," said Madame Marleau. "CIDA has provided $1.2 million to
the UNHCR in recent months to assist those affected by the conflict in Kosovo. I look forward to Mrs. Ogata's
assessment of the humanitarian situation there and in other places of conflict."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"The Canadian Forces have played a prominent role in humanitarian assistance operations in the former
Yugoslavia, the Great Lakes region of Africa and in many other parts of the world," said Mr. Eggleton. "We
consider this to be an important part of our contribution to the maintenance of peace, security and global
stability. Canadian Forces personnel have served alongside the UNHCR in what have often been extremely
difficult and inhospitable circumstances. We value our relationship and will continue to work together for the
betterment of disadvantaged peoples throughout the world."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">In Ottawa, Mrs. Ogata will also meet with senior government officials and representatives of the Immigration
and Refugee Board. Mrs. Ogata will review current international refugee situations, discuss Canadian refugee
policies and programs and outline her goals for her third mandate as High Commissioner.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">On the evening of November 4, Mrs. Ogata will deliver the first annual lecture of the National Committee for
Humanitarian Law in a public event at the University of Ottawa.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">On November 6, Mrs. Ogata travels to Toronto where she will visit the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture
and take part in a roundtable discussion at York University's Centre for Refugee Studies.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Mrs. Ogata's third term as High Commissioner will conclude on December 31, 2000. The UNHCR, based in
Geneva, Switzerland, is mandated to protect and assist refugees and promote durable solutions to their
problems.This is Mrs. Ogata's second official visit to Canada since becoming High Commissioner for Refugees
in 1989. </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">Éric Tétrault</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 954-1064</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">André Doren</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Co-operation and</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Minister responsible for La Francophonie</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(819) 997-6919</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Nicole Bourget</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of National Defence</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 996-3100</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">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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