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<title>CANADA WELCOMES ADOPTION OF THE NEW MONTREAL CONVENTION</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">May 28, 1999 <em>(6:40 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 124</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong> </strong></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>CANADA WELCOMES ADOPTION OF</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>THE NEW MONTREAL CONVENTION</strong></font><font face="Arial"></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed the results of the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) conference, which ratified the adoption of the new Montreal Convention.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"As an active member of the UN and the host country of the ICAO, Canada is proud to recognize all
the accomplishments of this important conference," said Mr. Axworthy. "The adoption of the Montreal
Convention underscores the Organization's willingness and ability to respond to new international
challenges."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Montreal Convention will give consumers greater opportunity to institute legal proceedings in the
countries where they reside in the event of incidents for which compensation is sought. It also
eliminates any limitation on carriers' liability for bodily injuries sustained on board an aircraft. This
new agreement is the product of a lengthy and arduous process of consolidating and modernizing
the air transport rules established by the Warsaw System in 1929. Over 50 countries are expected
to sign the new Montreal Convention today.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Representing Minister Axworthy, the Secretary of State for Canada Economic Development
(Quebec Regions), Martin Cauchon, participated at the signing ceremony of the supplementary
Canada-ICAO agreement regarding the Organization's Montreal headquarters.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> - 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
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