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<title>CANADA CALLS ON THE CARIBBEAN ISLAND OF NEVIS TO CONSIDER OTHER OPTIONS</title>
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<p><font face="Univers"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">August 8, 1998 No. 187</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADA CALLS ON THE CARIBBEAN ISLAND OF NEVIS </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">TO CONSIDER OTHER OPTIONS</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Government of Canada today called on the citizens of the Caribbean island of
Nevis to consider carefully the consequences of their decision when they vote next
week on whether to secede from their federation with St. Kitts. The Nevis
Administration is preparing to hold a public referendum on August 10, the ultimate
result of which could be the secession of Nevis from the two-island federation of
St. Kitts and Nevis, if the threshold of at least two thirds of all valid votes is
met, as required by the constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"As a friend of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), Canada has
been closely watching developments in the Caribbean state of St. Kitts and Nevis,"
said Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy. "Canada firmly believes that in this
age of global integration, strength in all regions of the world is born of unity
and closer co-operation, not division and fragmentation."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Closely identifying with the recent statements by the CARICOM and the Government
of the United States, the Government of Canada supports initiatives by the
populations and governments of St. Kitts and Nevis to resolve political
differences through democratic processes based on the rule of law, and strongly
encourages ongoing efforts to find legal alternatives to secession by Nevis. </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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