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<title>CANADA ANNOUNCES NEW INITIATIVES TO ASSISTTHE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">April 22, 1998 No. 96</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADA ANNOUNCES NEW INITIATIVES TO ASSIST</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Minister for International Co-operation and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, Diane Marleau, today
announced new initiatives to assist in the Middle East Peace Process. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">These initiatives flow from recommendations made by a recent Canadian task force
to the region. The task force examined Canada's involvement in the peace process
with a special focus on the humanitarian needs of Palestinians, particularly
Palestinian refugees. The task force, composed of representatives from the
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA), was sent to the region as a follow-up to
Minister Axworthy's visit to the Middle East last fall.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada is building on its substantial and longstanding contribution to the peace
process with these new initiatives," said Mr. Axworthy. "Our approach is to
identify practical and constructive steps that demonstrate that the pursuit of
peace is in the interests of all the people in the region. Canada has a unique
role in the peace process as Gavel of the Refugee Working Group and that is why
we have placed particular emphasis on the needs of Palestinian refugees." </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Ministers Axworthy and Marleau announced the following new initiatives: </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> a meeting of the co-ordinating committee of the Refugee Working Group has been
held recently in Canada renewing multilateral dialogue on the Palestinian refugee
issue (April 19-21);</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> a contribution of $4 million for reconstruction efforts in Palestinian
communities;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> new CIDA contributions, including $2.5 million for improving municipal services
in Gaza; </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> the establishment of a Canadian Representative Office in the West Bank/Gaza; </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> new efforts to accelerate the relocation of Canada Camp residents with their
community in Gaza; and</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> an additional contribution of $575 000 to help cover the costs of moving the
headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
in the Near East (UNRWA) from Vienna to Gaza. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada is committed to creating the conditions for lasting peace and development
in the Middle East," said Madame Marleau. "By working to improve the living
conditions of Palestinians, Canada is helping to build an environment where all
people in the region can enjoy the fruits of peace."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Madame Marleau will follow up on these initiatives during her planned visit to
the Middle East in June. </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">André Doren</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister for International Co-operation and </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Minister responsible for La Francophonie</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(819) 997-6919</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">The 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 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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