<html>
<head>
<meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8">
<title>KILGOUR TO VISIT COLOMBIA AND ECUADOR</title>
</head>
<body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0">
<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">August 5, 1998 No. 184</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">KILGOUR TO VISIT COLOMBIA AND ECUADOR</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) David Kilgour announced today that
he will visit Colombia and Ecuador from August 6 to 11 to attend presidential
inaugurations in both countries and hold meetings with government officials.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"I am pleased to represent Canada in Colombia and Ecuador at these presidential
inaugurations," said Kilgour. "These countries, indeed this entire region, are
important to Canada and I am here to show our support for the democratic process
that has led to the election of two new presidents."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">In addition to attending the inauguration of President Andrés Pastrana in Bogotá,
Colombia, on August 7, Kilgour will meet briefly with the new President and with
the President of the Canada-Colombia Business Council.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Colombia is one of Canada's most dynamic commercial partners in the region. Two-way trade reached C$772.6 million in 1997, while the Canadian private sector has
invested over $2.3 billion in Colombia.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">In Quito, Ecuador, Kilgour will attend the inauguration of the new President, Dr.
Jamil Mahuad, on August 10. He will also meet with a senior advisor of the United
Nations Drug Control Program and the head of the Antinarcotics Unit of the
National Police in Pichincha province. Kilgour plans to discuss Canada's
investments in the petroleum sector with the new Minister of Energy.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canada currently chairs the Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism of the Organization
of American States Drug Abuse Control Commission. This group will measure the
performance and progress in controlling illegal drugs in countries of the
Americas.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canada continues to develop its bilateral ties with Ecuador including
strengthening our relationship on the political, economic, commercial and
development co-operation levels. Two-way trade reached $227.4 million in 1997.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Sara Mohsin</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 992-9404</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
</body>
</html>
