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<title>AXWORTHY APPOINTS HEAD OFCANADIAN OFFICE IN SUDAN</title>
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<p><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>June 7, 2000 <em>(4:00 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 145</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>AXWORTHY APPOINTS HEAD OF</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>CANADIAN OFFICE IN SUDAN</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that the office of the Canadian Embassy in Khartoum,
Sudan, will be headed by Nicholas Coghlan, a Foreign Service human rights specialist currently posted to
Bogotá, Colombia. Mr. Coghlan has worked tirelessly over the past years to protect villagers in conflict zones in
Colombia, by supporting a strategy of "accompaniment" to remind guerillas and paramilitary groups that the
outside world is watching. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The new office, to be opened by the end of July, is an extension of the Canadian Embassy in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, which is accredited to Sudan. This initiative is one of several measures that the Canadian government
outlined on February 14 to further peace in Sudan.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"The presence of this office in Khartoum will enhance Canada's ability to further the peace process in Sudan,
promote human rights in the country and ensure consular service for our nationals who are visiting or living
there," said Mr. Axworthy. "Information provided by the office will also allow decision makers to determine
where humanitarian assistance is most needed."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">A tragic consequence of the civil war in Sudan is the alarming human rights situation, most notably in the
southern part of the country. Canada has condemned the Government of Sudan's systematic bombing of
civilian targets, and has urged all parties to the conflict to abide by international human rights covenants and
humanitarian law. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The devastating civil war in Sudan has caused approximately two million deaths since 1983, and displaced
more than four million civilians.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Mr. Coghlan will be assisted in his new duties by three locally engaged support staff. Discussions are currently
under way with the United Kingdom regarding co-location with the British Embassy in Khartoum. </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">A biographical note on Mr. Coghlan is attached.</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>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE</strong></font><font face="Arial"></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial"><strong></strong></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong></strong></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>Nicholas Coghlan</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial">Nicholas N. Coghlan was born on December 20, 1954. He holds a master's degree in modern languages from
the University of Oxford. At Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade headquarters, Mr. Coghlan
worked in the Middle East Division, South America Relations Division and Mexico Division. He served in Mexico
from 1995 until 1997. He is currently First Secretary and Consul in Bogotá, Colombia. Mr. Coghlan is married to
Jennifer Coghlan.</font></p>
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