Rawlings holds talks with Canadian Foreign Minister

Accra (Greater Accra), 28 Jan. '99 - President Jerry John Rawlings yesterday noted that conflicts in West Africa are hindering the economic and political stability of the sub-region. He said the latest conflict in Sierra Leone is devastating and said he regretted that West African countries are not unanimous in their efforts to resolve it. The President was speaking when Mr Lloyd Axworthy, Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister, called on him at the Castle, Osu, at the start of a two- day visit. The Minister who flew in from Nigeria earlier in the day, is leading a four-member delegation including Ms Sandelle Scrimshaw, former Canadian High Commissioner in Ghana. President Rawlings said in resolving the conflict in Sierra Leone following a rebel attack on the capital, Freetown, launched on January sixth, few countries in the sub region have made the necessary sacrifices with the majority of them staying out. ''We do not have a synchronised approach to resolving the conflict'', he said, alluding to the fact that only Nigeria, Guinea and Ghana have troops on the ground out of the 16 countries. President Rawlings expressed his appreciation for the assistance received from the international community and expressed Ghana 's gratitude to Canada for the her numerous assistance and said these came in during the country's most trying times. ''You gave us assistance when most countries were unwilling to help because they did not understand what was going on. Now we have the political and economic stability to assist others'', he said. Mr Axworthy thanked Ghana for supporting Canada when it vied for UN Security Council membership with some other countries. He said his country is worried about the situation in Sierra Leone and is willing to assist to alleviate the suffering of innocent people. Mr Axworthy said during his stay he would discuss with government officials issues including the protection of civilians during conflicts. Mr Victor Gbeho, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said Ghana supported Canada's membership of the Security Council because of its positive policies towards developing countries, especially Africa. ''Our relations with Canada has been good and aid from that country has been consistent'', he said. GRi..../

Accra (Greater Accra), 28 Jan. '99 - President Jerry John Rawlings yesterday noted that conflicts in West Africa are hindering the economic and political stability of the sub-region. He said the latest conflict in Sierra Leone is devastating and said he regretted that West African countries are not unanimous in their efforts to resolve it. The President was speaking when Mr Lloyd Axworthy, Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister, called on him at the Castle, Osu, at the start of a two- day visit. The Minister who flew in from Nigeria earlier in the day, is leading a four-member delegation including Ms Sandelle Scrimshaw, former Canadian High Commissioner in Ghana. President Rawlings said in resolving the conflict in Sierra Leone following a rebel attack on the capital, Freetown, launched on January sixth, few countries in the sub region have made the necessary sacrifices with the majority of them staying out. ''We do not have a synchronised approach to resolving the conflict'', he said, alluding to the fact that only Nigeria, Guinea and Ghana have troops on the ground out of the 16 countries. President Rawlings expressed his appreciation for the assistance received from the international community and expressed Ghana 's gratitude to Canada for the her numerous assistance and said these came in during the country's most trying times. ''You gave us assistance when most countries were unwilling to help because they did not understand what was going on. Now we have the political and economic stability to assist others'', he said. Mr Axworthy thanked Ghana for supporting Canada when it vied for UN Security Council membership with some other countries. He said his country is worried about the situation in Sierra Leone and is willing to assist to alleviate the suffering of innocent people. Mr Axworthy said during his stay he would discuss with government officials issues including the protection of civilians during conflicts. Mr Victor Gbeho, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said Ghana supported Canada's membership of the Security Council because of its positive policies towards developing countries, especially Africa. ''Our relations with Canada has been good and aid from that country has been consistent'', he said. GRi..../