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<title>CANADA DEEPLY CONCERNED OVER CONTINUED UNREST IN CHECHNYA</title>
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<p><font face="CG Times"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">August 20, 1996 No. 143</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADA DEEPLY CONCERNED OVER CONTINUED UNREST IN
CHECHNYA</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today expressed deep concern over the
continuing violence in the Russian Republic of Chechnya, and called on all parties
to agree to an immediate and lasting cease-fire.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"The high toll the fighting has exacted on civilians is of particular concern to
Canada. We urge both sides to spare no effort in protecting their safety," stated
Mr. Axworthy. "We appeal to the parties to continue the negotiations that began
last week and to seek an end to the fighting."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Axworthy urged the Government of the Russian Federation and the Chechen rebel
leadership to employ the good offices of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Assistance Group in Grozny to negotiate a permanent and
peaceful end to the fighting. The OSCE Assistance Group constitutes an important
instrument in the search for peace and the respect for human rights, and
Mr. Axworthy pressed the warring parties to ensure the safety of its members.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Finally, the Minister requested that international humanitarian assistance groups
be granted full access to the region in order to relieve the suffering of
civilians.</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">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">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">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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