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<p><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">May 6, 2005 <i>(2:45 p.m. EDT)</i><br>
No. 80</span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">PRINCESS MARGRIET OF THE NETHERLANDS TO VISIT CANADA</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt"></span></p>
<br>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew is pleased to announce that Princess Margriet
of the Netherlands will visit Montreal and Ottawa from May 9 to 14, 2005, to participate
in various events commemorating the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the
Netherlands and the end of World War II.</p>
<br>
<p>“Canadians have long held a special place in their hearts for Princess Margriet, her
family and the people of the Netherlands,” said Minister Pettigrew. “Not only did the
Dutch royal family take refuge in our country during the German occupation of the
Netherlands, but more than 7,600 Canadians gave their lives to help liberate that
country. We are very pleased she will be here to help us celebrate our shared history
and the end of World War II.”</p>
<br>
<p>“I am so pleased that we are once again able to welcome Princess Margriet to Canada,”
said Veterans Affairs Minister Albina Guarnieri. “This visit emphasizes the tremendous
relationship that Canadian veterans have maintained with our Dutch friends, and is
certainly a fitting tribute as we mark the end of the war in Europe and celebrate the
Year of the Veteran.”</p>
<br>
<p>Princess Margriet and her husband, Pieter van Vollenhoven, will arrive in Montreal on
May 9 and take part in various activities over the next two days, including meeting with
Canadian veterans at a hospital in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. On May 12 they will travel
to Ottawa, where their schedule includes a tour of the new Canadian War Museum, the
unveiling of a plaque commemorating the liberation of the Netherlands, and a visit to
the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for a wreath-laying ceremony.</p>
<br>
<p>On May 8, just before their visit to Canada, Princess Margriet and Mr. van Vollenhoven
will take the salute in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, from some 1,500 veterans from
Canada, the United States, Poland and England on parade to commemorate the
liberation of the Netherlands in 1945.</p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<br>
<p>Sébastien Théberge<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</p>
<br>
<p>Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220184113/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Corey Hobbs<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs<br>
(613) 996-4649</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Janice Summerby<br>
Media Relations Advisor<br>
Veterans Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 992-7468</span></p>
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