<html>
<head>
<meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8">
<title>CANADA APPLAUDS SIGNING OF PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO AND RWANDA</title>
</head>
<body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0">
<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>July 31, 2002 <em>(3:35 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 88</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>CANADA APPLAUDS SIGNING OF PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN </strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO AND RWANDA</strong></font></p>
<p>Minister of Foreign Affairs Bill Graham welcomed the signing, yesterday in Pretoria, of a peace agreement between the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The terms of the agreement signed by DRC President Joseph
Kabila and Rwandan President Paul Kagamé involves the disarming and rounding up of former Rwandan armed forces (ex-FAR) and Interahamwe militia in the DRC, in return for the full withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese soil. </p>
<p>"We congratulate the signatories of this agreement that will move the entire African Great Lakes region an important step
closer to peace," said Mr. Graham. "I would like to commend the African Union, the United Nations and the Government
of South Africa for their joint mediation efforts."</p>
<p>"We expect that the commitments made by the two parties will quickly translate into concrete action to enable the
Democratic Republic of the Congo to regain its sovereignty and Rwanda to re-establish security," Minister Graham went on
to say. "The Congolese people, especially women and children, have already suffered too much from this conflict. It is time
for the Congo to find peace." </p>
<p>"This agreement is only one of the pieces needed to achieve lasting peace," added Mr. Graham. "The Inter-Congolese
Dialogue, which unfortunately has not yet come to a fruitful conclusion, must lead to an agreement that will include all the
parties. We strongly urge all participants in the Dialogue to continue their efforts to bring democratic government and
institutions to the Congo that will lead to economic and social development."</p>
<p>Canada will continue to play a role in efforts to bring about lasting peace in the DRC. Canada has contributed $51 million
in development assistance for peace and democracy initiatives in the Great Lakes region, which includes direct support for
the Inter-Congolese Dialogue.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221021828/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
</body>
</html>
