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<title>CANADIAN PEACEKEEPERS TO TAKE PART INUN MISSION FOR THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC </title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">April 3, 1998 No. 82</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADIAN PEACEKEEPERS TO TAKE PART IN</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">UN MISSION FOR THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC </font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font></p>
<p><font face="CG Times"></font><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and National Defence Minister Art
Eggleton announced today that Canada will take part in a United Nations
peacekeeping operation in the Central African Republic (CAR). In response to a
request from UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan, Canada will send approximately 45
Canadian Forces personnel to provide the communications element for the Mission
des Nations unies en République centrafricaine (MINURCA).</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"The UN has requested that Canada play a key role in its new operation in the
Central African Republic," said Mr. Axworthy. "We are ready to work closely with
the UN and with our African partners. MINURCA affirms the essential role of the
UN in the maintenance of international peace and security, and promotes greater
stability throughout the region."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">MINURCA is a new UN peacekeeping operation, approved unanimously by the Security
Council on March 27, 1998. It is the first new United Nations peacekeeping
operation in two years, and the first in Africa in four years. The UN will deploy
up to 1350 soldiers, civilian police and officials. The initial three-month
mandate begins April 15, 1998, with the possibility of an extension. MINURCA
will have military contingents from Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, France,
Gabon, Ghana, Mali, Senegal and Togo, as well as Canada.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"I am very pleased that the Canadian Forces will take part in MINURCA," said Mr.
Eggleton. "The Canadian Forces have played an active role in United Nations
peacekeeping efforts for more than 40 years, and their peacekeeping expertise is
second to none. I am confident that they will make a valuable contribution to
peace and security in the Central African Republic."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The mandate of MINURCA is mainly to assist the government of the CAR in
maintaining security in and around the capital city, Bangui. MINURCA will also be
responsible for ensuring the safety of UN personnel, providing police training
and disposing of the surrendered weapons of demobilizing factions.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Canadian Forces communications personnel are from Canadian Forces Base
Valcartier near Québec City. They are expected to depart from Canada during the
week of April 15, 1998.</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">Nicole Bourget</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of National Defence</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 996-3100</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Liaison Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of National Defence</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 996-2353</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">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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