NEWS RELEASESApril 3, 1998 No. 82 CANADIAN PEACEKEEPERS TO TAKE PART IN UN MISSION FOR THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and National Defence Minister Art Eggleton announced today that Canada will take part in a United Nations peacekeeping operation in the Central African Republic (CAR). In response to a request from UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan, Canada will send approximately 45 Canadian Forces personnel to provide the communications element for the Mission des Nations unies en République centrafricaine (MINURCA). "The UN has requested that Canada play a key role in its new operation in the Central African Republic," said Mr. Axworthy. "We are ready to work closely with the UN and with our African partners. MINURCA affirms the essential role of the UN in the maintenance of international peace and security, and promotes greater stability throughout the region." MINURCA is a new UN peacekeeping operation, approved unanimously by the Security Council on March 27, 1998. It is the first new United Nations peacekeeping operation in two years, and the first in Africa in four years. The UN will deploy up to 1350 soldiers, civilian police and officials. The initial three-month mandate begins April 15, 1998, with the possibility of an extension. MINURCA will have military contingents from Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, France, Gabon, Ghana, Mali, Senegal and Togo, as well as Canada. "I am very pleased that the Canadian Forces will take part in MINURCA," said Mr. Eggleton. "The Canadian Forces have played an active role in United Nations peacekeeping efforts for more than 40 years, and their peacekeeping expertise is second to none. I am confident that they will make a valuable contribution to peace and security in the Central African Republic." The mandate of MINURCA is mainly to assist the government of the CAR in maintaining security in and around the capital city, Bangui. MINURCA will also be responsible for ensuring the safety of UN personnel, providing police training and disposing of the surrendered weapons of demobilizing factions. The Canadian Forces communications personnel are from Canadian Forces Base Valcartier near Québec City. They are expected to depart from Canada during the week of April 15, 1998. - 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 Nicole Bourget Office of the Minister of National Defence (613) 996-3100 Media Liaison Office Office of the Minister of National Defence (613) 996-2353 This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca |