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<title>OAS ADOPTS RESOLUTIONS ON CONTINUED INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE IN HAITI AND ONGLOBAL ELIMINATION OF ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES </title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">June 10, 1996 No. 109</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">OAS ADOPTS RESOLUTIONS ON CONTINUED INTERNATIONAL
PRESENCE IN HAITI AND ON</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">GLOBAL ELIMINATION OF ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Secretary of State (Latin America and
Africa) Christine Stewart today welcomed the unanimous adoption of two resolutions
by the Organization of American States (OAS) -- one on international assistance to
Haiti and one calling for a hemisphere free of anti-personnel mines. The Canadian
delegation to last week's OAS General Assembly in Panama was led by Mrs. Stewart.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"The adoption of these resolutions is a clear illustration of what can be
accomplished when countries work together towards a humanitarian goal," said Mrs.
Stewart. "Canada can be proud of what it accomplished at this General Assembly by
proposing these two resolutions and seeing them adopted unanimously."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada, as a key contributor to the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH),
welcomes the OAS support and resolution calling for an international presence in
Haiti," said Mr. Axworthy. "In addition, the OAS resolution on land mines
represents the firm political will of 34 countries of the hemisphere to achieve a
global ban on the production, use and export of anti-personnel land mines. These
weapons have caused immeasurable suffering and have hindered the development
efforts of countries already devastated by conflict," he added.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The resolution on Haiti encourages the international community to sustain the same
level of commitment it showed during the years of crisis. It recommends that, at
the request of the Haitian government, a strong international presence be
maintained there. It also urges the international community to support fully the
strengthening of the Haitian National Police and to consolidate the stable and
democratic environment necessary for economic growth and development.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Last month, Mr. Axworthy travelled to Haiti where he held talks with President
René Préval and other Haitian officials on the future of peacekeeping there. The
UN military force in Haiti is under the overall command of a Canadian general; in
addition Canada has 700 peacekeepers and 100 police personnel on the ground.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The OAS resolution on anti-personnel mines calls upon participating countries to
work towards the global elimination of anti-personnel mines and to take steps
towards a hemisphere free of these weapons. The resolution also calls on OAS
states to implement moratoriums on the production, transfer and use of anti-personnel land mines at the earliest possible date. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">In January 1996, Canada declared comprehensive unilateral moratoriums on the
production, export and operational use of anti-personnel land mines. Earlier this
week, Canada made the commitment to provide financial support for mine clearance
in Central America through the new Inter-American Council for Integral
Development.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Catherine Lappe</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Director of Communications</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">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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