October 5, 1998 No. 231

CANADA TO CONTRIBUTE TO

THE INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR IRELAND

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Canada is contributing $50 000 to the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) in support of international peacebuilding efforts in Ireland. Minister Axworthy made the announcement following a meeting with his Irish counterpart, David Andrews, who is accompanying Ireland's President Mary McAleese during her first state visit to Canada. The IFI promotes social and economic progress in Ireland and encourages contact, dialogue and reconciliation between all sides of the conflict.

"Canada is very committed to supporting peace efforts in Ireland," said Mr. Axworthy. "We are especially pleased that Canada's contribution will be applied toward the continued activities of the Fund's Wider Horizons Program, which focusses on helping Ireland's youth shape a peaceful and prosperous future for themselves."

Canada has contributed more than $4 million to the International Fund for Ireland since it was established in 1986 by the U.K. and Irish governments.

Canada's contribution of $50 000 is being made under the Canadian Peacebuilding Program, which is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT). The Peacebuilding Program is an element of the Canadian Peacebuilding Initiative launched in October 1996 as a joint undertaking of DFAIT and the Canadian International Development Agency.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca (3:00 p.m. EDT)