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<title>AXWORTHY WELCOMES POSTPONEMENT OF FAULDER EXECUTION</title>
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<p><font face="Univers"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">December 10, 1998 <em>(8:45 p.m. EST)</em> No. 292</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">AXWORTHY WELCOMES POSTPONEMENT </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">OF FAULDER EXECUTION</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy welcomed a decision by the United States Supreme Court to postpone
the execution of a Canadian citizen, Stanley Faulder, who had been scheduled to be executed by the State of
Texas at 6:00 p.m., Texas time, today.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Court made its decision in respect to a petition filed by Mr. Faulder on November 25. That petition was
supported by an amicus brief addressing the Vienna Convention issues submitted by the Government of
Canada.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"I believe the court has acted appropriately," said Mr. Axworthy. "The stay of execution will provide time for the
special issues associated with Mr. Faulder's conviction and sentence to be addressed."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Mr. Axworthy noted that the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations defines an international standard for all
governments that provides protection and assistance for all people when they are in difficulty in another country. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"The fact that this international standard was not respected by the authorities at the time of Mr. Faulder's arrest
and trial seriously undermines the safeguards we want for citizens of all countries, including Americans," added
Minister Axworthy. "Texas authorities clearly should have given this matter much more serious and careful
attention." </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Mr. Axworthy commended the members of Mr. Faulder's family for their courage and determination under
exceptionally trying circumstances and expressed his appreciation for the support in Canada, the United States
and around the world that has been given to Mr. Faulder's cause. He noted, in particular, the support given by
the American Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Mary Robinson, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the countries of the European Union.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"The quality of that support demonstrates the international community is prepared to address the troublesome
issues raised by Mr. Faulder's situation," concluded Mr. Axworthy. "They affect all of us, and Canada will be at
the forefront in pushing for appropriate action."</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><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">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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