NEWS RELEASESApril 1, 1998 No. 78 UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CHILDREN AND ARMED CONFLICT TO VISIT CANADA Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Olara A. Otunnu, will visit Canada from April 1 to 2 to raise awareness about the plight of children and armed conflict. This will be Mr. Otunnu's first official visit to Canada since his appointment by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on September 1, 1997, as Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.
"Canada supports Mr. Otunnu's role as an advocate to raise awareness of the issue of children and armed conflict," said Minister Axworthy. "We will continue to work with Mr. Otunnu toward the common goal of eliminating the participation of children in armed conflict." Minister Axworthy and Mr. Otunnu will discuss Canada's role in focussing world attention on the plight of children in armed conflict. Mr. Otunnu will meet with the Minister for International Co-operation and Minister responsible for la Francophonie, Diane Marleau, the Minister of National Defence, Art Eggleton, and the Secretary of State (Children and Youth), Ethel Blondin-Andrew, as well as with representatives of Canadian non-governmental organizations active in this issue. - 30 - 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 |