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<title>CANADA TO HOST OAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 2000</title>
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<p><font face="CG Times"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">June 6, 1996 No. 106</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADA TO HOST OAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 2000</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) Christine Stewart today announced
that Canada will host the 30th General Assembly of the Organization of American
States (OAS) in the year 2000.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"The opportunity to host the General Assembly in 2000 will allow us to welcome our
neighbours to the northernmost end of the hemisphere to witness all that we have
to offer as a friend and partner," said Mrs. Stewart. "It will allow Canada to
demonstrate its own brand of leadership in developing the inter-American agenda at
the dawn of the 21st century."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The year 2000 will mark Canada's 10th anniversary as a member of the OAS.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">While in Panama earlier this week at the 26th General Assembly of the OAS, Mrs.
Stewart signed the Inter-American Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in
Criminal Matters.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Convention provides for co-operation in criminal matters among OAS member
states. It includes provisions for gathering evidence in one OAS member state for
investigations being conducted in the jurisdiction of another member state. It
also reduces the need for Canada to sign individual mutual legal assistance
treaties with the other 33 OAS members.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Before the signing, Mrs. Stewart officially inaugurated Canada's embassy in
Panama. Opened on October 5, 1995, the embassy serves the growing number of
Canadian business people seeking trade and investment opportunities in Panama.</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">Louise Crosby</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Legislative Assistant</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-2947 </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>
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