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<title>AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES CANADA'S RESPONSE TO CONSTRUCTIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN NIGERIA</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">August 24, 1998 No. 199</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES CANADA'S RESPONSE TO
CONSTRUCTIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN NIGERIA</font><font face="Courier"></font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy announced today that Canada will support
the constructive movement towards democracy in Nigeria.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"The statements and initial measures undertaken by General Abubakar over the past
two months have given hope to friends of Nigeria that the country is setting a
course for meaningful democratic reform," said Mr. Axworthy. "At this stage, we
cannot be certain of the outcome given the country's recent history, but we want
to give the Government of Nigeria every chance to achieve its stated objectives."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Minister Axworthy met today in Ottawa with Nigerian Ambassador and Permanent
Representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Gambari, to discuss recent
developments in his country and to inform him of Canada's decision to implement
the following bilateral activities:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> the re-establishment of a Canadian diplomatic presence in Nigeria;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> financial and technical aid in support of Nigeria's transition to democracy; </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> sponsorship of a forum for pan-Commonwealth non-governmental organizations
(NGOs); and</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> a visit to Nigeria by Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) David
Kilgour.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">A Canadian diplomat will be posted to Nigeria, the first Canadian official to
serve in that country following the closing of the Canadian High Commission in
March 1997. This presence will facilitate Canada's direct contact with government
and non-government representatives in the country. The Canadian High Commission
will not be reopened at this time.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Although Canada has provided no direct development assistance to Nigeria since
1995, support has been given to the Nigerian democratic movement. This support
will continue, and Canada is also now prepared to provide direct assistance in
implementing Nigeria's transition program. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Over the last several weeks, I have consulted with a number of my Commonwealth
colleagues and representatives of the Nigerian democracy movement," said Mr.
Axworthy. "I have concluded that the participation and support of the
international community in the transition process is essential to its success and
to establishing its credibility."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canada will sponsor a pan-Commonwealth NGO forum to take place this fall in
Harare, Zimbabwe. The forum is designed to encourage the people of the
Commonwealth to augment the work of states in promoting the Commonwealth
principles of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Axworthy has asked Secretary of State Kilgour to visit Nigeria in September to
continue the direct dialogue with the present government and report on the
situation in the country. Mr. Kilgour will consult a broad cross-section of
Nigerian society to obtain a variety of viewpoints on recent developments and to
explore ways in which Canada might encourage and support the transition process.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Minister Axworthy will also urge the Commonwealth Secretary- General to begin
developing the criteria and information necessary for the Commonwealth Ministerial
Action Group to assess Nigeria's democratic progress over the transition period.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</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>
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