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<title>AXWORTHY TO ATTEND 55TH UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY</title>
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<p><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>September 12, 2000 <em>(1:25 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 225</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong> AXWORTHY TO ATTEND </strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>55TH UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY</strong></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy will be in New York from September 12 to 14 to attend
the 55th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and to further advance
Canada's foreign policy priorities. Minister Axworthy will deliver Canada's address to the
General Assembly in the afternoon of September 14.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">Canada's focus at this year's General Assembly will be the human security agenda and
consolidating Canada's Security Council initiatives from over the last two years. Priority will be
given to war-affected children, the protection of civilians, humanitarian intervention and
peacekeeping reform, the International Criminal Court, and small arms and disarmament issues. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">"Canada is securing lasting changes as a result of our Security Council initiatives," said Mr.
Axworthy. "The Millennium Declaration, adopted by all UN members, is an affirmation of the
centrality of Canada's human security agenda."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">Reform of peacekeeping is also essential. "It will be an important follow-up to the report from the
panel of experts, led by UN Under Secretary-General Lakhdar Brahimi, studying all aspects of
peacekeeping. We will work with Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette, who has been
tasked by the Secretary-General to develop an action plan for its implementation," added the
Minister. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">On September 13, Mr. Axworthy will launch Canada's campaign to bring the International
Criminal Court into force. Initiatives related to the promotion of the signature, ratification and
implementation of the International Criminal Court Statute will be unveiled.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">On the morning of September 14, he will also launch the independent International Commission
on Intervention and State Sovereignty. The Commission is being established by Canada to
promote and structure debate on the range of issues encompassed under the heading of
Intervention and State Sovereignty.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">During his time at UNGA 55, Minister Axworthy will hold various bilateral meetings. These will
include meetings with Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and foreign ministers from Britain,
Mongolia, Peru and Egypt. Mr. Axworthy will also meet with counterparts of the Rio Group
Troika, and will attend the G-8 dinner.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">In addition, on September 13, Minister Axworthy will host his annual UNGA working session
with foreign ministers of countries participating in the Human Security Network. This will provide
an opportunity to promote concrete actions in support of the human security agenda and identify
areas for co-operation. Ministers will also brief their colleagues on their human security
initiatives in the follow-up to commitments made at their last Ministerial meeting in Switzerland
in May 2000.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan will represent Canada at the Commonwealth
Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), which will meet on September 15 and 16. The group will
discuss key issues including the situations in Pakistan, Fiji and the Solomon Islands.</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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