January 23, 2019 – Ottawa, Canada

“The Retired Heads of Mission Association of Canada fully endorses and supports
the letter addressed to President Xi Jinping signed by 143 former diplomats,
scholars and foreign policy specialists, concerning the detention of Canadian
citizens Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor and calling for their immediate
release. As the letter states, meetings and exchanges with local citizens, with
officials, researchers and scholars to achieve better understanding and to build
relationships are the cornerstone of the work of diplomats around the world,
irrespective of their nationality. The result of the detention of Mr. Kovrig and Mr.
Spavor will inevitably cause diplomats, researchers and scholars to be more
cautious in their work in China, hampering efforts to build stronger relations and
resolve issues when and where they arise.”
The Retired Heads of Mission Association is a national organization with its
headquarters in Ottawa, and regional chapters in Montreal/Quebec City, Toronto
and Victoria. It has a membership of 324 Canadian men and women of diverse
backgrounds who have served as Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and
Consuls General around the world. More information about the organization is
available on its web site, www.rhoma-acmar.ca. RHOMA may be contacted by
e-mail at info@rhoma-acmar.com.
Contact:
Lillian Thomsen
Vice-President, Communications
Retired Heads of Mission Association (RHOMA)
(613) 983-9483
lillianthomsenottawa@gmail.com