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<title>VISIT TO CANADA OF SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THEINTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF LA FRANCOPHONIE</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>June 16, 2003 <em>(9:05 a.m. EDT)</em> No. 86</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>VISIT TO CANADA OF SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF LA FRANCOPHONIE </strong></font></p>
<p>Denis Paradis, Secretary of State for Latin America, Africa and La Francophonie, announced today that the
Secretary-General of the International Organization of La Francophonie, Abdou Diouf, will make his first official visit to
Canada from June 17 to 26, 2003. </p>
<p>"I am very pleased to have this chance to strengthen Canada's role within the international Francophonie," said Secretary of
State Paradis. "Mr. Diouf's visit will also provide an opportunity to share with him Canada's vision on the major issues that
we are championing in La Francophonie, such as democracy, human rights, cultural diversity and access to information
technologies, as well as to promote the New Partnership for Africa's Development and the G8 Africa Action Plan within
the framework of La Francophonie." </p>
<p>In Ottawa, the Secretary-General of La Francophonie will hold discussions with Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Secretary of
State Paradis, International Cooperation Minister Susan Whelan, Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps and various
other Canadian government officials. On June 19, Mr. Diouf will deliver an address at the third conference of the
Association des cours constitutionnelles ayant en partage le français [association of constitutional courts using French as a
common language], which will be chaired by the Chief Justice of Canada Beverley McLachlin. On June 20, he will be in
Montreal for a round table on democracy, rights and freedoms in the French-speaking world. Mr. Diouf will then visit New
Brunswick and Quebec, where he will be the guest of the provincial governments. </p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For more information, media representatives are asked to contact: </p>
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<p>Julie Godin</p>
<p>Office of the Secretary of State </p>
<p>(Latin America and Africa) (Francophonie) </p>
<p>(613) 947-8187</p>
<p>Media Relations Office </p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade </p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca">www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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