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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>March 15, 2004 <em>(2:35 p.m. EST)</em> No. 40</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>VISIT TO CANADA BY OIF SECRETARY-GENERAL</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial">Denis Coderre, President of the Queen's Privy Council and Minister responsible for
La Francophonie, today announced that Abdou Diouf, Secretary-General of the
International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), will participate in celebrations in
Montreal on March 17 and 18 marking the Journée internationale de la Francophonie.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Canada is proud to host this year's official celebrations for the Journée internationale
de la Francophonie," said Minister Coderre. "This is further recognition by our partners
in the international Francophone community of our commitment within this organization.
The celebrations were planned jointly with Quebec and New Brunswick, which is a first
and attests to the close cooperation between the two levels of government."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Secretary-General will take part in a round table on the theme, "Create, Think and
Inform: Networks and Exchanges within Francophone North America," which will be
followed by an official ceremony attended by Prime Minister Paul Martin, Quebec
Premier Jean Charest, and New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord. Mr. Diouf will also
take part in the international video conference on the 2004 meeting of business people
of La Francophonie, organized by the Forum francophone des affaires business group,
and the Prix Montfort awards evening. In addition, he will receive an honorary doctorate
from the Université de Montréal, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Sarah Bain<br>
Office of the Minister responsible for La Francophonie<br>
(613) 943-1838</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office<br>
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070222004513/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></font></p>
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