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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">December 5, 1996 No. 236</font></p>
<p><font face="Univers" size="+2">AXWORTHY TO ATTEND NATO MEETINGS</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that he will be attending
two North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-related meetings in Brussels next
week. The first will be a regular Ministerial session of the North Atlantic
Council (NAC), which is composed of the 16 NATO members, on December 10. This
will be followed on December 11 by a meeting of the North Atlantic Co-operation
Council (NACC), which the Minister will attend along with representatives of all
38 member countries, including delegates from Central and Eastern Europe including
the Russian Federation and Ukraine.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"We must deal with a number of important political issues at NAC and NACC,
including the replacement of the NATO-led Peace Implementation Force (IFOR) with a
follow-on force, NATO enlargement and an enhanced Partnership for Peace," said
Mr. Axworthy. "I also want to discuss with my counterparts the issue of bringing
indicted war criminals in the former Yugoslavia to justice."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">In addition to those issues identified by the Minister, the NAC is expected to
discuss NATO relations with Russia and Ukraine, preparations for a 1997 Summit of
Alliance leaders, and the adaptation of Alliance structures and procedures.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Following the NATO meetings, Minister Axworthy will proceed to Paris to attend an
event for the Bureau International des Expositions. The event is being hosted by
the Canada 2005 Exposition Corporation, which is sponsoring Calgary's bid to host
Expo 2005.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> </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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