News / International
Canada pulls out of UNWTO in protest to Mugabe's Ambassadorial role
02 Jun 2012 at 06:29hrs | Views
CANADA is pulling out of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation in protest over President Mugabe's appointment as a special tourism ambassador.
Zimbabwe yesterday said Canada's pullout was inconsequential because it was a "small player in the global tourism industry".
Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird said the President's appointment as an international tourism ambassador symbolised "what is wrong with the UN".
President Mugabe and his Zambian counterpart Michael Sata were appointed tourism ambassadors by the UNWTO office this week as their countries are co-hosting the UNWTO general assembly in August next year.
Peeved by the appointment and Zimbabwe's co-hosting of the assembly, Mr Baird told the Canadian House of Commons yesterday that the move was "outrageous" and announced that Canada "is withdrawing" from the tourism body next month.
Zimbabwe yesterday said Canada's pullout was inconsequential because it was a "small player in the global tourism industry".
President Mugabe and his Zambian counterpart Michael Sata were appointed tourism ambassadors by the UNWTO office this week as their countries are co-hosting the UNWTO general assembly in August next year.
Peeved by the appointment and Zimbabwe's co-hosting of the assembly, Mr Baird told the Canadian House of Commons yesterday that the move was "outrageous" and announced that Canada "is withdrawing" from the tourism body next month.
Source - Byo24News
