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<title>KILGOUR TO ATTEND ANNUAL MEETINGOF INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">March 13, 1998 No. 56</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers" size="+2">KILGOUR TO ATTEND ANNUAL MEETING</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers" size="+2">OF INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK</font><font face="Courier"></font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">David Kilgour, Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa), will represent
Canada at the 39th annual meeting of the board of governors of the Inter-American
Development Bank (IDB) in Cartagena, Colombia, from March 16 to 18.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Kilgour is attending on behalf of Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and
International Co-operation Minister Diane Marleau, who is responsible for the
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Kilgour will address the board
of governors and will meet with ministers and senior officials from several
countries in the region.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"The Inter-American Development Bank plays a vital role in the region's economic
and social evolution," said Kilgour. "We expect the bank to continue its
constructive work in advancing the agenda of the upcoming Santiago Summit -- in
particular, the elimination of poverty and discrimination in the hemisphere."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The IDB is the most important lender for development projects in the region,
providing about $7 billion annually. Canada is the bank's sixth-largest
shareholder, and thus far has made available $228 million (US$161 million) for
lending.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The IDB was created in 1959, and is the largest and oldest of the world's
regional development banks. The bank has 46 members, including countries from
Latin America, the Caribbean and the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation
and Development). Canada has been a member of the bank since 1972, and CIDA is
responsible for Canada's relations with the bank.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, please contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Sara Mohsin</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 992-9404</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">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canadian International Development Agency</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(819) 953-6534</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department of </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs and International Trade Internet site: </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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