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<title>PAGTAKHAN TO VISIT PHILIPPINES, CAMBODIA AND THAILAND</title>
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<p><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>February 15, 2001 <em>(11:00 a.m. EST)</em> No. 22</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>PAGTAKHAN TO VISIT</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>PHILIPPINES, CAMBODIA AND THAILAND</strong></font><font face="Arial"></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Rey Pagtakhan today announced that he will visit the Philippines, Cambodia
and Thailand from February 18 to 22, 2001. This is Dr. Pagtakhan's first official visit abroad since he was
appointed Secretary of State for the Asia-Pacific region by Prime Minister Chrétien in January 2001.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"I am proud to make my first bilateral visit to the Philippines, which is my place of birth," said Dr. Pagtakhan.
"This visit to the Philippines, as well as to Cambodia and Thailand, is intended to assure our partners of
Canada's ongoing commitment to political partnership and economic development in the region."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Dr. Pagtakhan's agenda begins in Manila, where he will meet with President Macapagal-Arroyo and other key
figures in the new Philippine administration. Dr. Pagtakhan is also scheduled to speak to the Canadian
Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and to meet with Asian Development Bank President Tadao Chino.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">On February 21, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Dr. Pagtakhan will participate in the opening of a seminar co-hosted by the governments of Canada, Japan and Cambodia, entitled Transparency and Responsibility in
Transfers of Conventional Weapons. The seminar will focus on the UN Conventional Arms Register and on
regional efforts to lessen the destructive and destabilizing impact of the uncontrolled spread of small arms and
light weapons in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, Dr. Pagtakhan will sign a Memorandum of Understanding,
on behalf of Minister for International Co-operation Maria Minna, concerning the Cambodia-Canada Legislative
Support Project, which seeks to strengthen Cambodia's National Assembly and Senate. Further, the Secretary
of State will visit a CIDA-supported World Vision HIV/AIDS project being undertaken with the Cambodian
Ministry of Health and the National AIDS Council.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">On February 22, Dr. Pagtakhan will visit Thailand. In meetings with government, business and international
organization representatives, he will discuss domestic and regional economic trends, and the foreign, trade and
economic policy orientations of the new Thai government. He will also address the Communic Thailand 2001
Communications and Information Technology and Services Exhibition and Conference and will meet with
participating Canadian company representatives.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Prior to these bilateral visits to Southeast Asia, Dr. Pagtakhan took part in the Team Canada mission to Beijing,
Shanghai and Hong Kong from February 9 to 17, 2001.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Sanjeev Chowdhury</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Press Secretary</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Diane Gémus</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Special Assistant</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1852</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
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