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<title>CANADA CONDEMNS OUTBREAK OF TERRORISM IN ALGERIA</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">August 17, 1999 <em>(5:00 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 181</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>CANADA CONDEMNS OUTBREAK OF TERRORISM</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>IN ALGERIA</strong></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today vigorously condemned the increasing number of
terrorist attacks in recent days against the civilian population in Algeria during the run-up to the
referendum on national reconciliation to be held on September 16, 1999.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">"Canada opposes all forms of terrorism and supports Algerians in their efforts to end the terrible
conflict their country has been suffering for some years," the Minister said.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">"The referendum, which has received the support of the Parliament and is aimed at
reconciliation of the Algerian people, is an important initiative of the Algerian president," said
Mr. Axworthy. "Canada hopes that President Bouteflika's efforts will help end the climate of
terrorism that is rampant in Algeria and promote the return of peace."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">The aim of the referendum on national reconciliation is to grant partial amnesty to radical
Muslims in an effort to restore peace in Algeria. The initiative of the Algerian president was
rejected by the Groupes islamiques armés (GIA) [armed Islamic groups] and the Groupe
salafite pour la prédication et le combat (GSPC) [Salafiyya group for preaching and combat].
These armed groups reasserted their determination to continue their terrorist activities. One
hundred people, including 27 soldiers, have been killed by terrorists in Algeria since the
beginning of August. </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
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