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<title>MANLEY WELCOMES PRISONER EXCHANGE IN COLOMBIA</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong></strong></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>June 6, 2001 <em>(9:15 a.m. EDT)</em> No. 75</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong> </strong></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>MANLEY WELCOMES PRISONER EXCHANGE IN COLOMBIA</strong></font><font face="Arial"></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial">John Manley, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today welcomed the signing of an agreement
to free 42 infirm soldiers and police held by the Armed Revolutionary Forces of
Colombia (FARC), and 15 guerrillas imprisoned by the Government of Colombia.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"I am pleased that the humanitarian agreement between the Colombian government
and the FARC has been finalized and that these individuals can rejoin their families,"
said Mr. Manley. "Canada strongly supports efforts to find a negotiated solution to the
Colombian conflict. I hope this accord will create momentum toward further agreements
to protect the civilian population from the brutal effects of the armed conflict."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Minister Manley also commended Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski for his efforts in
contributing to the achievement of this agreement. The prisoner exchange will be
observed by the Facilitation Commission, made up of ten countries which are assisting
the peace talks with the FARC. Canada, represented by Ambassador Rishchynski, is
currently co-ordinator of the Commission. Other members include Cuba, France, Italy,
Mexico, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Venezuela. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"This is the first concrete agreement signed by the two sides in more than two years of
peace talks," said David Kilgour, Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa. "It
represents a positive step forward."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">This humanitarian accord is an important application of international humanitarian law,
which has been incorporated into the domestic laws of the Republic of Colombia. The
FARC have pledged to unilaterally release another approximately 100 detained police
and soldiers once the exchange takes place. </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">Tasha Stefanis</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 944-2162</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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