Contingency plan in place for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in Qatar

Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education Minister Anna Thistle has been assured by College of the North Atlantic officials in Qatar, that a contingency plan is in place should employees and their families at its Doha campus be forced to leave the state due to possible military action against Iraq.

To date, no advisory for an evacuation of foreigners from Qatar has been issued by either the Canadian, American, British or Australian embassies, all of which have nationals working there.

"I spoke with the College of the North Atlantic president Pamela Walsh and also Dr. Trent Keough, president of our Qatar campus this morning regarding the situation, and have been advised that people are going about their daily activities as normal," said Minister Thistle. "There is a plan for evacuation in place, should it become necessary and an emergency measures committee is meeting daily. Dr. Keough is in constant contact with the Canadian Embassy and is providing me with updates as they unfold."

The College of the North Atlantic employs 45 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians at its Qatar campus. They are joined by 17 spouses and 25 children. There are also 14 other Canadian staff members who come from Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario and British Columbia.

Media contact: Kathy Dicks-Peyton, Communications, (709) 729-6573.

2003 03 18                                       2:45 p.m.