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<title>AXWORTHY WELCOMES RELEASE OF DETAINED CANADIAN IN YUGOSLAVIA</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>October 6, 2000 <em>(5:10 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 253</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"> </font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>AXWORTHY WELCOMES RELEASE OF DETAINED CANADIAN IN
YUGOSLAVIA</strong></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy expressed satisfaction that Liam Hall was
released by the Yugoslav military authorities earlier today. Mr. Hall has now left
Yugoslavia and will arrive in Canada tomorrow afternoon</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"The release of Liam Hall is welcome news, coming in the midst of the developments in
Yugoslavia," said Minister Axworthy. "We appreciate the close co-operation of the U.K.
government and the intense diplomatic efforts undertaken on behalf of the detainees by
the international community, particularly the United Nations, the </font><font face="Arial">Organization for
Security and Co-operation in Europe</font><font face="Arial"> (OSCE) and Russia."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">It is understood from the Yugoslav authorities that the other detained Canadian, Shaun
Going, will be formally charged with illegal possession of explosive equipment and that
he may be released on bail shortly thereafter. Officials at the Canadian Embassy have
spoken to Mr. Going, and he remains in good health and spirits.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"It is deeply regrettable that Mr. Going was not also released at the same time as his
nephew," said Mr. Axworthy. "The Canadian chargé d'affaires raised his situation during
a meeting with President-elect Vojislav Kostunica this morning, and we will continue to
press for his early release."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Two British citizens who were detained at the same time as the Canadians were also
released today</font><font face="Arial">. All four men were arrested on August 1 while en route back to Kosovo
from a weekend holiday in Montenegro. The Yugoslav military conducted an
investigation, alleging that the detainees were involved in terrorism and espionage. </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<table width="100%">
<tr valign="TOP"><td><font face="Arial">Debora Brown</font>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
</td>
<td><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></td></tr></table>
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