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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">May 11, 2006 <i>(11:35 a.m. EDT)</i><br>
No. 50</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">MINISTER VERNER CHAIRS MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE OF LA
FRANCOPHONIE ON CONFLICT PREVENTION AND </span></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">HUMAN SECURITY</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official
Languages Josée Verner will chair the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie on
conflict prevention and human security, which will be held in St. Boniface, Manitoba, on
May 13 and 14. The conference will welcome Secretary-General Abdou Diouf of the
International Organization of La Francophonie and several delegations led by foreign
affairs ministers from the countries of La Francophonie or their representatives. Foreign
Affairs Minister Peter MacKay will lead the Canadian delegation.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">The St. Boniface conference is the result of a Canadian initiative and has two
objectives: to promote La Francophonie’s conflict-prevention activities and to enhance
La Francophonie’s contribution to the international community’s debate on human
security.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“The theme of the Conference is very important and I am pleased that La Francophonie
is examining these critical issues,” stated Minister Verner. “I ask participants at the
St. Boniface conference to focus special attention on women and children, who are
often the main victims of conflicts.” </span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Participants in this conference will discuss the international environment, conflict
prevention and resolution, and new channels for human security-related joint effort and
action in La Francophonie. The objective of the Canadian delegation at this conference
is to highlight Canada’s interest and role in these areas. </span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Conflict prevention, human security, democracy and sustainable development are
closely connected issues,” stated Minister MacKay. “Canada would like this conference
to make a tangible contribution to preventing conflicts and improving the protection of
civilians in the francophone world. La Francophonie must not lag behind the
international community on these issues.”</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">The International Organization of La Francophonie is made up of 49 member states
and participating governments, four associate states and 10 observer states. </span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">- 30 -</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
</span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221012411/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000"></span></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000">Media Relations Office<br>
Canadian International Development Agency<br>
(819) 953-6534<br>
</span></span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221012411/http://www.cida.gc.ca/"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.cida.gc.ca</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000"> </span></span></span></p>
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