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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

The Commonwealth mourns Pierre Trudeau

29 September 2000

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr Don McKinnon, today sent a letter of condolence to the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr Jean Chretién, on the death of former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau who passed away yesterday, 28 September, aged 80.  The letter said:

I was deeply saddened to learn this morning of the passing away of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau after a prolonged illness.  In his death, not only has Canadalost a warm human being and a charismatic leader, but the world has lost a statesman.  The Commonwealth, in particular, mourns the passing of one who championed its causes, especially the campaign against apartheid, and considerably enhanced its profile on the international stage. We also recall Mr Trudeau's distinguished stewardship of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Ottawain 1973.

Please accept my condolences at your country's sad loss and convey them also to the members of the bereaved family.

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