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<title>STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON CHIAPAS</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>March 12, 2001 <em>(12:25 p.m. EST)</em> No. 30</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON CHIAPAS</strong></font><font size="+1"><strong></strong></font></p>
<p>The Government of Canada supports the important efforts to date by President Fox and the new
Mexican administration toward resolving the conflict in Chiapas. In withdrawing military
placements in Chiapas, releasing prisoners and introducing indigenous rights legislation in
Congress based on the San Andrés Accords, President Fox has taken important steps to promote
dialogue with the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN). The Government of Canada
urges the EZLN to respond constructively.</p>
<p>We are pleased to see that restraint by all parties allowed the peaceful progress of the EZLN
caravan as it travelled to Mexico City. Canada looks forward to the resumption of dialogue
between the EZLN and the Government of Mexico and believes that negotiations in good faith by
all parties are essential to the peaceful resolution of the conflict.</p>
<p>Recognizing that the conflict in Chiapas is a symptom of broader national, historical and socio-economic issues, Canada expresses its agreement with the efforts of the Government of Mexico
to address underlying social and economic causes contributing to the underdevelopment of
southern Mexico.<font face="Arial"></font></p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Sanjeev Chowdhury</p>
<p>Press Secretary</p>
<p>Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</p>
<p>(613) 995-1851</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
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