VANCOUVER - CRYSTALLEX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION (AMEX: KRY; Toronto) today announced that Dr. Enrique Tejera-Paris, Venezuela's Ambassador to Spain, will leave that post and join the Crystallex International Board of Directors as soon as his successor shall be nominated by the President of Venezuela. Upon his return to Caracas, Dr. Tejera-Paris will also serve as Chairman of Crystallex de Venezuela and as Managing Director of a newly formed Environmental Foundation primarily dedicated to the preservation and fostering of forests. He is already President of the Foundation of Ecology and a director of two foremost conservation societies in Venezuela.
Dr. Tejera-Paris has significant experience as a lawyer and also in the areas of public service, banking, and administration. He was named Ambassador to Spain in August 1996. His prior service to the government and people of Venezuela included serving as the country's Ambassador to the United Nations, Ambassador to the United States, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and founder and first Chief of Cordiplan (The President's Planning Office). Dr. Tejera-Paris has also been President of the Industrial Bank of Venezuela and an Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Until 1994, he practiced law as a founding partner of Lares, Tejera Asociados.
From 1959 to 1962 he was Governor of the State of Sucre. Dr. Tejera-Paris was Senator for the Federal District (Caracas 1969-1993) and has presided over the Senate Committees of Environment and Foreign Affairs.
Crystallex International President and CEO Marc J. Oppenheimer said, "Venezuela is currently a major force in the resource sector, specifically in the energy field. As Venezuela and Crystallex each move to ensure an expanded role for the country's mining sector, we are honored to welcome Dr. Enrique Tejera-Paris to our Board of Directors. For many years, he has been a leader in international government affairs as well as in Venezuela's banking and legal communities. His accomplished background will contribute significantly to the diversity and depth of our Board."
The appointment of Dr. Tejera-Paris reflects the Company's and the Ambassador's commitment to further the development of the mining sector in Venezuela. It is Crystallex's intention to carefully combine mining with care for and the restoration of the environment. It has already decided to promote a Foundation of the Environment in Venezuela.
Crystallex International Corporation is a gold mining and exploration company. The Company's strategy for growth is to develop its portfolio of properties in South America as well as to diversify geographically by investing in producing or near production projects and by exploring properties of merit in other areas of the world.
On Behalf of the Board,
"Marc J, Oppenheimer"
Marc J, Oppenheimer, President & CEO
NOTE: The Toronto Stock Exchange and the Vancouver Stock Exchange have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
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