October 11, 2000
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that the Secretary General of La Francophonie, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, will visit Canada from October 16 to 21, 2000. Mr. Boutros-Ghali’s itinerary will take him to Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Saint-Boniface.

"It is a great pleasure to welcome Secretary General Boutros-Ghali," said Prime Minister Chrétien. "His visit will allow us to exchange views on some important issues facing La Francophonie, namely the advancement of global human rights and freedom as well as promoting cultural diversity. Furthermore, the Secretary General’s visit to Saint-Boniface will provide him with an opportunity to appreciate the dynamism of the Francophone community in Manitoba. "

During his visit to Montreal, Mr. Boutros-Ghali will preside over the inauguration of the new North American offices of the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie. He will then travel to Quebec City (October 17 to 18, 2000) and then to Ottawa (October 19, 2000) where he will meet with Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Secretary of State for La Francophonie Ron Duhamel and other members of the federal cabinet.

During his visit to Winnipeg and Saint-Boniface (October 20 to 21, 2000), Mr. Boutros-Ghali will meet with Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and with Manitoba Premier Gary Doer. He will also have the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Francophone community in Manitoba: students of the Collège de Saint-Boniface and delegates to the General Assembly of the Société Franco-Manitobaine.

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