York University Professor Chosen as Election Observer for Historic German Elections

TORONTO, September 16, 1998 --As the date for Germany's most crucial elections in decades nears, York University Professor Mark Webber prepares to take up his role as an election observer in the decisive final days of the German federal election campaign.

Webber, who directs The Canadian Centre for German and European Studies at York University, is the sole Canadian academic to be chosen by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to participate in a program for international experts who will visit Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, Munich, Frankfurt and Bonn from September 18 to 29.

The September 27 elections are widely regarded as the most crucial in decades, bringing with them the possibility that Chancellor Helmut Kohl's ruling centre-right coalition will be defeated by the Social Democrats. A number of issues divides the parties, including jobs and the economy, the consequences of German unification, minority rights, law and order, and Germany's place in Europe and in the global community.

Webber, who was educated at Harvard, Yale, and the University of Munich, is an old hand at interpreting German events for Canadians. In 1993, he received the Officer's Cross of the Federal Order of Merit (the German equivalent of the Order of Canada) for his contributions to understanding between Germany and Canada. He was also an election observer in 1994.

While in Germany, Webber will attend private meetings with key politicians, analyse major speeches by the leading candidates ó including Chancellor Helmut Kohl and his main challenger, Gerhard Schr–der ó and participate in meetings with journalists, pollsters and other experts. Webber will be in Bonn for election day and evening, concluding with visits to the federal party headquarters as the results roll in.

On October 6, 1998, Webber and a panel of experts from Germany will present their analysis of the election results to a select group of Canadian business and professional leaders. The program, entitled "Germany After the Elections: Impacts and Implications," will be held at the University Club of Toronto, 380 University Avenue, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., and will focus on the significance of the elections for Canada.

Professor Webber is available for interviews from Canada and Germany. A list of numbers where he can be reached is below.

The Canadian Centre for German and European Studies is a Canada-wide research and teaching resource, focusing on contemporary Germany in its European context. Established in 1997 after a nation-wide academic competition involving Canada's leading universities, the Centre is a cooperative initiative of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), l'UniversitÈ de Montreal, and York University.

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For more information, please contact:

Sine MacKinnon
Senior Advisor for Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
email: sinem@yorku.ca

Ken Turriff
Media Relations Officer
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
email: kturriff@yorku.ca
YU/062/98

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Where and when to reach York University Professor Mark Webber

In Canada until September 17:

The Canadian Centre for German and European Studies

Phone: (416) 736-5695
Fax: (416) 736-5696
E-mail: mwebber@yorku.ca

In Germany:

September 18 to 21: Berlin
Berlin Plaza Hotel
Phone: 011 49 30 884 130

September 23 to 25: Munich
Regent Hotel
Phone: 011 49 89 551590

September 26 to 29: Bonn
Hotel Eden
Phone: 011 49 228 22 50 75
Fax: 011 49 228 22 50 70