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<title>CANADIAN EMBASSY IN MEXICO OUTLINES ROLE IN RECENT CONSULAR CASE</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">April 15, 1998 No. 90</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADIAN EMBASSY IN MEXICO OUTLINES ROLE IN RECENT
CONSULAR CASE</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade today outlined the role
played by the Canadian Embassy in Mexico City during the expulsion from Mexico of
Sarah Mireille Baillargeon and Julie Marquette on Sunday, April 12.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"The Canadian Embassy in Mexico City went out of its way to provide consular
assistance to the two Canadians," said Ambassador Stanley Gooch. "Lines of
communication were established early and Canadian Embassy staff acted in a timely
and professional fashion to ensure their well-being," he added.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The two Canadians entered Mexico on tourist visas and did not register with the
Embassy, nor did they inform the Embassy of their whereabouts or activities.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">At about 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, the Canadian Embassy was informed about
the detention of the two Canadians by the Mexican government. The Consul
immediately contacted Mexican immigration authorities, and enquired about their
whereabouts and well-being. They were then contacted in San Cristobal by the
Consul.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">They informed him that they were well and had not been mistreated. The Consul
reported to them that immigration authorities would discuss their status on
Easter Sunday. At their request, the Consul attempted to reach Renaude Grégoire,
head of the Quebec non-governmental organization, Salut le Monde, with which they
are affiliated. A message was left on her answering machine.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">On Sunday, April 12, the Consul was unable to reach the two Canadians during the
day because they were in transit to Tuxtla Gutierrez and then to Mexico City. He
went to the airport that evening in an attempt to see them. Unable to locate the
area where they were being held, the Consul subsequently spoke with both of them
by phone. He told them that Renaude Grégoire and their parents had been informed
about their situation.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The two Canadians requested and were given the Consul's direct telephone number
so that they could discuss their situation at a later date. They also requested
that the Embassy pick up and return to them their belongings left in San
Cristobal, about 15 hours by car from Mexico City. The Embassy has agreed to do
so and it has confirmed the whereabouts of their effects, which will be picked up
next week when the Embassy makes one of its regular visits to Chiapas.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade issued a Travel
Information Report at the beginning of March, noting that the Mexican Government
is vigorously enforcing migratory legislation, and recommending obtaining the
proper visa.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Canadian Government believes it is important that national and international
human rights organizations be able to travel freely and report on areas of
concern.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Minister Axworthy will be discussing the expulsion of the two Canadians later
this week in Santiago, Chile, with Mexican Foreign Secretary Rosario Green.</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">Eduardo Del Buey</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Embassy of Canada, Mexico City</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">011-52-5-724-7900</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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