XN000022-1997-01-14 — Page 10

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Issue of Year of the Ox special stamps postponed

The Postmaster General, Mr Robert Footman, announced today (Tuesday) that the issue of special stamps for the Year of the Ox, which was scheduled on Friday (January 17), will be postponed to February 27.

"We have a number of issues in January and February, and February 27 is the earliest practicable alternative date," Mr Footman said.

"I apologise to our customers for any inconvenience this may cause them. It is most unfortunate that the stamps cannot be delivered on time as originally planned because of production problems, hence the revision of the issue date."

The Post Office will make available on February 27 corrigendum sheets at all post offices for customers to amend the date of issue printed on the first day covers they have bought.

Customers who have ordered serviced first day covers through the advance order service are advised that the revised collection period of the serviced covers will be from March 20 to April 17.

Those who have ordered their stamps through the Local Standing Order Service may collect their orders from their designated post offices as from March 3.

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Airmail services to Afghanisan temporarily suspended

The Postmaster General, Mr Robert Footman, announced today (Tuesday) that due to the civil war in Afghanistan, all airmail services to Afghanistan, including air letter and air parcel, are temporarily suspended with immediate effect.

Further announcement will be made as and when services resume.

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