November 20, 1998 (7:15 p.m. EST) No. 269

AXWORTHY WELCOMES TRANSFER OF

CHRISTINE LAMONT AND DAVID SPENCER TO CANADA

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed the transfer of Christine Lamont and David Spencer under provisions of the Canada-Brazil Transfer of Offenders Treaty. Ms. Lamont and Mr. Spencer, who had applied to return to Canada in July, are leaving Brazil this evening en route to Canada.

"Their return brings to an end one of Canada's longest consular cases. I am pleased that the Brazilian authorities were able to make these arrangements. Their

co-operation was instrumental in resolving this long-standing matter," said

Mr. Axworthy.

Ms. Lamont and Mr. Spencer were sentenced to 28-year prison terms for their involvement in the 1989 kidnapping of a Brazilian businessman. Under terms of the Treaty, their full sentence is transferred to Canada, where the remainder will be served in accordance with Canadian laws and regulations. They will be eligible for conditional release under terms of Canada's Corrections and Conditional Release Act. Any such release will rest with the National Parole Board of Canada.

Upon their return to Canada tomorrow morning, Ms. Lamont and Mr. Spencer will be incarcerated immediately at a Canadian correctional facility.

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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