<html>
<head>
<meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8">
<title>MINISTER AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES NEW INITIATIVESFOR ALGERIA</title>
</head>
<body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0">
<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">March 11, 1998 No. 52 </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">MINISTER AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES NEW INITIATIVES</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">FOR ALGERIA</font><font face="Courier"></font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced a series of new
initiatives in support of Canada's current policy toward Algeria in light of a
recent Canadian parliamentary delegation visit to this country.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"I was very pleased with the delegation's findings," said </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Minister Axworthy. "In just a few days, the delegation did a remarkable job that
has given us a clearer picture of the situation in that country, and has helped
us to identify the proper course of action in the pursuit of our current policy
in Algeria." </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The new initiatives include an early visit to Canada by Algerian parliamentarians
and a meeting in Ottawa of the Canada-Algeria Bilateral Commission to be co-chaired by International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi and an Algerian minister.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canada will also encourage the voluntary sector, especially those groups that are
active in women's and children's issues, to develop collaboration with their
Algerian counterparts. "We have </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">taken steps to equip our embassy in Algiers with enhanced resources to support
this kind of co-operation," said </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Axworthy.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Measures will also be considered to encourage the independent Algerian press, and
Mr. Axworthy invited the Canadian media to contribute in this exercise.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canada continues to support the transition of Algeria's economy from a centrally
planned to a market-driven model, and will promote increased trade and investment
relations with Algeria in order to create employment and move the country to
resolve its serious socio-economic problems.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"In this respect, Algeria can already count on a number of mechanisms, in
particular EDC (Export Development Corporation) lines of credit, the co-operation
program for private sector development, and the ties that make Algeria Canada's
leading trading partner in North Africa and the Middle East," said Minister
Marchi. A trade mission, led by the Alliance of Manufacturers & Exporters of
Canada, is scheduled to take place in Algeria later in March.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The recent visit to Algeria by the Canadian parliamentary delegation was led by
Minister of State and Government House Leader Don Boudria. Senators Pierre de
Bané and Gérald Comeau along with Members of Parliament Raymonde Folco and Hélène
Alarie completed the delegation.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">During their visit, the group met with Algeria's Prime Minister, six ministers,
including the Foreign Affairs Minister, Algerian members of parliament,
representatives of six opposition parties, and numerous NGOs, including groups
supporting the victims of violence, journalists, and human rights advocates.</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>
</body>
</html>
