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<title>AXWORTHY REGRETS ISRAELI CABINET DECISION TO EXPAND JURISDICTION OF JERUSALEM</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">June 24, 1998 No. 165</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AXWORTHY REGRETS ISRAELI CABINET DECISION TO EXPAND
JURISDICTION OF JERUSALEM</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today expressed regret at the Israeli
Cabinet's plan to unilaterally expand the jurisdiction of the city of Jerusalem.
Canada believes that the status of Jerusalem can be resolved only as part of a
general settlement of the Arab-Israeli dispute, and opposes Israel's unilateral
annexation of East Jerusalem.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"We see the Israeli Cabinet decision as harmful to the peace process," said Mr.
Axworthy. "At this sensitive stage in the peace talks, we consider unilateral
actions in Jerusalem as undermining the trust needed for progress. We strongly
support all efforts to move the peace process forward."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">On June 21, 1998, the Israeli Cabinet unanimously approved a plan that would
bring Israeli settlements in the West Bank, as well as areas west of Jerusalem,
under the direction of a new umbrella municipal authority run by the city of
Jerusalem. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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