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<title>UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CHILDRENAND ARMED CONFLICT TO VISIT CANADA</title>
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<p><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">April 1, 1998 No. 78</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CHILDREN</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AND ARMED CONFLICT TO VISIT CANADA</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that the UN Special
Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Olara A. Otunnu, will visit
Canada from April 1 to 2 to raise awareness about the plight of children and
armed conflict.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This will be Mr. Otunnu's first official visit to Canada since his appointment by
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on September 1, 1997, as Under-Secretary-General
and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed
Conflict.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada supports Mr. Otunnu's role as an advocate to raise awareness of the issue
of children and armed conflict," said Minister Axworthy. "We will continue to
work with Mr. Otunnu toward the common goal of eliminating the participation of
children in armed conflict."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Minister Axworthy and Mr. Otunnu will discuss Canada's role in focussing world
attention on the plight of children in armed conflict.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Otunnu will meet with the Minister for International Co-operation and
Minister responsible for la Francophonie, Diane Marleau, the Minister of National
Defence, Art Eggleton, and the Secretary of State (Children and Youth), Ethel
Blondin-Andrew, as well as with representatives of Canadian </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">non-governmental organizations active in this issue.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><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>
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