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<title>CANADA TO PROVIDE UP TO 80 SPECIALISTS TO THE OSCE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION </title>
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<p><font face="Univers"></font><font face="Univers" size="+1"></font><font face="Univers" size="+1">November 20, 1998 (3:30 p.m. EST) No. 266</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+1">CANADA TO PROVIDE UP TO 80 SPECIALISTS TO </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+1">THE OSCE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION </font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">The Government of Canada has informed the Organization for Security and </font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) that it can offer up to 80 civilian, police and military personnel to the
Kosovo Verification Mission (KVM) to monitor compliance with a United Nations Security Council
resolution to end violence in the troubled region.</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">The Canadian proposal included up to 60 civilian and police verifiers and up to 20 Canadian Forces
personnel who would operate both in the field and at KVM Headquarters in Pristina. Canadian personnel
will be deployed as required by the mission. The police and civilian personnel component of Canada's
participation will be funded by the Canadian International Development Agency through the Peacebuilding
Fund, which will provide a contribution of up to $3 million to the OSCE international mission in Kosovo. </font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">The selection of civilians is being conducted primarily by the Canadian Resource Bank for Democracy and
Human Rights (CANADEM), an organization funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International
Trade to maintain a database of Canadians qualified and available for service in the field of human rights
and democratic development. </font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">"The developments of the last months on the Kosovo issue demonstrate that the multilateral system works
when recognized international organizations are used to their full potential and their mandate is respected,"
said Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy. "Canada is delighted to see the lead role that the OSCE is
taking in this case and will actively be engaged on the full range of issues related to Kosovo, particularly
the vital question of the security of verifiers."</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">"Hope begins when the fighting stops," said Minister for International Co-operation and Minister
responsible for La Francophonie Diane Marleau. "Restoring a lasting peace to Kosovo will not be easy, but
the first step has been taken. The Peacebuilding Fund was intended to provide speedy assistance to
conflict zones, and I am confident the Canadian specialists will ensure that the human face of this conflict
is not forgotten." </font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">The KVM's purpose is to ensure that the steps taken by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Albanian
Kosovar organizations are made irreversible and verifiable. These include: the unimpeded delivery of
humanitarian relief; co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal on the former Yugoslavia; the
return of those displaced from their homes and villages; and a reduction of Yugoslav forces in Kosovo to
pre-conflict levels. The OSCE Mission will operate in close co-operation with NATO, whose aircraft will be
engaged in airborne verification. </font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">"The Canadian Forces have acquired valuable experience in the Kosovo Diplomatic Observer Mission and in
other similar missions," said Minister of National Defence Art Eggleton. "That experience, along with their
excellent training, ensure that our personnel are well qualified to verify compliance with the military
verification aspects of the OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission agreement."</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">"The RCMP stands ready to provide personnel to assist in this important mission," said Solicitor General
Andy Scott. "The Force has participated with great distinction in previous United Nations efforts in the
former Yugoslavia to bring peace and stability to the region."</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">Debora Brown Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">Office of the Minister Department of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">(613) 995-1851 (613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">André Doren Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">Office of the Minister The Canadian International</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">for International Co-operation Development Agency</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">and Minister responsible (819)953-6534</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">for La Francophonie</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">(819) 997-6919</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">Nicole Bourget Media Liaison Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">Office of the Minister of Department of National Defence</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">National Defence (613) 996-2353</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">(613) 996-3100 </font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">Dan Brien RCMP Media Relations</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">Office of the Solicitor General (613) 993-2999</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">(613) 990-2743 </font></p>
<p><font face="Univers">This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet
site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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