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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General to Visit India, Bangladesh and Australia

13 March 1997

Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku will visit India, Bangladesh and Australia from 16-27 March. It will be his first visit to the three countries since new governments in each of them were elected to power last year. He will discuss a wide range of Commonwealth issues with each country's leaders, including preparations for the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting at Edinburgh, Scotland, in October.

In India, which he visits first (from 16-20 March), the Secretary-General is expected to meet Prime Minister Shri Deve Gowda, senior ministers and other parliamentarians. Their talks will cover various aspects of co-operation between the Commonwealth and India.

During his visit to Bangladesh (20-22 March), Chief Anyaoku will hold talks with President Shahabuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed. The Commonwealth played an important role in helping to resolve Bangladesh's long-standing political crisis, including observing last year's elections which resulted in victory for the Awami League.

In Australia (23-27 March), the Secretary-General will make a major speech at the National Press Club (26 March) on democracy and good governance. In his talks with Prime Minister John Howard, senior ministers and members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade the Secretary-General will discuss, among other things, Australia's contribution to the Commonwealth's democracy building activities. The profile of the Commonwealth as an organisation in which Australia plays an active part will also be discussed.

 

97/11 13 March 1997

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