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<title>CANADA ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN ABDUCTED BY THE LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>September 17, 2000 <em>(7:10 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 238</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>CANADA ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT AND SUPPORT FOR </strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>CHILDREN ABDUCTED BY THE LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that the governments of Sudan and Uganda, working with the
governments of Canada and Egypt, have agreed to work on an urgent basis to ensure the release of children abducted by the
Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Sudan and to prevent new abductions. </p>
<p>International Co-operation Minister Maria Minna also announced that the Canadian International Development Agency
(CIDA) will invest at least $1 million to immediately prepare to help these children re-integrate into their communities.
Programs will include access to education, psycho-social counselling, and vocational and skills training.</p>
<p>"We are very encouraged by the commitment of the Government of Sudan to work to ensure the release and safe return of
these abducted children," said Mr. Axworthy. "The undertaking by the Government of Uganda to put in place the
conditions conducive to the reconciliation, rehabilitation, return and resettlement of members of the LRA is a key aspect in
solving this tragic situation. The news today of the upcoming release of 16 abductees is an important step in this process to
secure the release of these children."</p>
<p>"I have instructed all available officials at CIDA to mobilize immediately," said Minister Minna. "We will be ready for the
children. We will meet them and get them to safety. We will take care of the physical needs. We will address their
emotional needs. We will help them, their families, and their communities to heal. We will also help them to rebuild their
lives and create a culture of peace. Whatever it takes, we will be there."</p>
<p>In addition, Canada will financially support the relocation of 10 women and children.</p>
<p>Minister Axworthy added, "The support of Foreign Minister Amr Moussa and the Government of Egypt in this effort will
help to focus regional attention on the plight of abducted children and the efforts being made both to end abductions and to
gain the release of all abducted children by the LRA."</p>
<p>Canada worked in partnership with the Government of Egypt in negotiating a Communiqué on Immediate Action on
Abducted Children during the International Conference on War-Affected Children taking place in Winnipeg. The
Communiqué commits the governments of Sudan and Uganda to a number of immediate obligations that are designed to
alleviate the suffering and servitude of abducted children, and to promote the identification, release, and secure and safe
return of these children. It also highlights the continuing problem posed by the use of anti-personnel mines and the
proliferation of small arms and their impact on the civilian population, particularly children. </p>
<p>To implement the commitments made in Winnipeg, a follow-up monitoring mechanism has been established by the parties.
Ministers will themselves review progress early in the new year. This undertaking will complement efforts now being made
by the Carter Center in support of the Nairobi Accord.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Debora Brown</p>
<p>Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</p>
<p>(613) 995-1851</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p>Duncan Fulton</p>
<p>Office of the Minister for International Co-operation</p>
<p>(613) 293-6405<font face="Arial"></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(819) 953-6534</font></p>
<p>E-mail: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221113911/mailto:info@acdi-cida.gc.ca">info@acdi-cida.gc.ca</a></p>
<p>Internet: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221113911/http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/">http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca</a> (electronic version of the document)</p>
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial">This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Web site:
<a href="€€ €€ ">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a> </font></p>
<p>The Web site of the Winnipeg International Conference on War-Affected Children is: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221113911/http://www.waraffectedchildren.gc.ca/">http://www.waraffectedchildren.gc.ca</a></p>
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