MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1997
(Meeting No. 82)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.

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The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met in camera at 3:29 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Sarkis Assadourian, John English, Jesse Flis, Beryl Gaffney, Bill Graham, Bob Mills, Lee Morrison, Philippe Paré, Benoît Sauvageau and Bob Speller.

Acting Members present: John Loney for Eleni Bakopanos; George Proud for Francis LeBlanc.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz and James Lee, Researchers.

In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its examination of NATO enlargement (See Minutes of Proceedings, dated October 10, 1996, Issue No. 10, Meeting No. 44).

The Committee resumed its examination of a draft resolution on the enlargement of NATO.

It was agreed,--That further to its resolution of Thursday, April 10, 1997, the Committee authorize the payment of an additional $698.75 to Verena Ossent for the editing of the French version of the Report of the Committee on circumpolar cooperation.

At 4:20 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1997
(Meeting No. 83)

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The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 3:21 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Sarkis Assadourian, Eleni Bakopanos, John English, Bill Graham, Francis G. LeBlanc, Bob Mills and Bob Speller.

Acting Members present: John Loney for Jesse Flis; George Proud for Hon. Michel Dupuy.

Associate Member present: Maud Debien.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz and James Lee, Researchers.

Appearing: The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Committee resumed consideration of its Order of Reference from the House of Commons dated Thursday, February 20, 1997, relating to the Main Estimates for Foreign Affairs for the fiscal year ending Tuesday, March 31, 1998.

The Chair called Vote 1.

The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy made a statement and answered questions.

At 4:11 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 1997
(Meeting No. 84)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.

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The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met in camera at 9:55 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Sarkis Assadourian, John English, Beryl Gaffney, Bill Graham, Francis G. LeBlanc, Bob Mills and Benoît Sauvageau.

Acting Members present: Maud Debien for Stéphane Bergeron; George Proud for Jesse Flis; and Glen McKinnon for Eleni Bakopanos.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz and James Lee, Researchers.

In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(1)(b) and 108(2), the Committee commenced its examination of the report of the Sub-Committee on Trade Disputes relating to trade dispute resolution processes.

It was agreed,--That the Committee recommend to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, which will be struck in the next Parliament, that it deem referred to it the evidence from the study of the Sub-Committee on Trade Disputes regarding trade dispute resolution processes and further recommend that the new Committee continue the study to its completion.

At 10:08 o'clock a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 10:20 o'clock a.m., the sitting resumed, the Vice-Chair, John English presiding.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed consideration of the enlargement of NATO (See Minutes of Proceedings, dated Thursday, October 10, 1996, Issue No. 6, Meeting No. 44).

It was moved,--That whereas the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has proven itself to be an effective defensive alliance, having provided security in the North Atlantic region that permitted an unprecedented growth of prosperity and cooperation among the states of Western Europe and North America;

Whereas the changes that have occurred in Europe during the past several years have reduced the threat of global conflict, brought about a spread of democratic practice and economic reform, and opened new possibilities of partnership between NATO and the countries of central and eastern Europe;

Whereas a number of these countries have indicated their desire to join the Alliance and the Alliance has indicated its readiness to consider admitting new members;

Whereas the Alliance has developed extensive cooperative programmes such as the North Atlantic Cooperation Council and the Partnership for Peace to establish new forms of cooperation with all interested European States;

Whereas the evolution of the Organization for Security and Cooperation for Europe provides a forum in which all the States of Europe may meet and address their shared security concerns;

Whereas the success of the IFOR/SFOR missions in Bosnia-Herzegovina demonstrate the ability of NATO and non-NATO countries, and in particular Russia, to work together for peace;

Whereas the Secretary-General of NATO, on behalf of the Alliance, has been conducting negotiations with the Russian Foreign Minister with a view to creating a new Russia-NATO relationship which offers an historic opportunity to create a new and effective partnership;

Whereas the Alliance represents one of Canada's most important institutional links to Europe;

Whereas Canada has strong, unique links through trade, culture and family to many of the countries in central and eastern Europe, and noting that the government has acted constructively by designating a special representative for NATO enlargement to consult interested states and groups in Canada;

Whereas Canada has traditionally contributed its share of Alliance common costs;

It is resolved that,

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade strongly recommends:

1) that Canada continue to play an active part in the process of bringing new members into the NATO Alliance, with the aim of encouraging the broadest possible enlargement and the strengthening of the Transatlantic community, while ensuring that the value and effectiveness of the Alliance are in no way impaired as a result;

2) that Canada ensure that the objective process for determining which new members might be invited to join the Alliance, based on the considerations in the NATO Enlargement Study, continue, with a view to reaching a consensus on new members at an early date in advance of the NATO Summit of July 8-9, 1997;

3) that Canada support the Atlantic Partnership Council initiative in order to satisfactorily address the expectations of countries which remain outside the Alliance by enhancing partnership programmes, and provides a mechanism for addressing regional issues such as the concerns of the Baltic states in particular;

4) that Canada contribute to a successful outcome of the current negotiations between NATO Secretary-General Solana and the Russian Foreign Minister on a new NATO-Russia agreement;

5) that Canada contribute as well to the conclusion of a framework for relations with Ukraine, recognizing that country's unique role in European security; and

6) that Canada seek a broad and meaningful reform of NATO structures with a view to ensuring that the Alliance has the flexibility to address new security challenges, permits the full integration of old and new member states into the Alliance's military structure and provides for more efficient use of resources.

And debate arising thereon.

It was agreed,--That the motion be amended by adding in the English version, following the words ``to create a new and effective partnership;'' the following:

``Whereas the North Atlantic Assembly as a forum for debate and discussion among the member states, fulfills an important role in ensuring a transparent, informed process toward final approval of new NATO membership in the participating parliaments;''

and adding in the French version, following the words ``de forger un partenariat nouveau et efficace;'' the following:

``Attendu que l'Assemblée de l'Atlantique Nord, en tant que lieu d'échange et de discussion entre les États membres, joue un rôle important en assurant l'application d'une procédure transparente et éclairée jusqu'à l'approbation définitive de l'adhésion de nouveaux États à l'OTAN par les parlements des pays membres;''

After debate, the question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to.

It was agreed,--That in the English version, in point 4, the word ``relationship'' be replaced with the word ``agreement'', and that in the French version in point 4, the word ``relation'' be replaced with the word ``entente''.

And the question being put on the motion, it was agreed to as amended.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed consideration of compensation for Canadian Far East Prisoners of War during World War II (See Minutes of Proceedings, dated November 19, 1996, Issue No. 7, Meeting No. 52).

It was moved--That whereas 2,100 Canadian military personnel were captured in Hong Kong and held by the Japanese for 44 months during World War II;

Whereas these prisoners suffered abuse and were forced into hard labour by the Japanese;

Whereas these Canadian veterans are well founded in fact and in law to claim the amount of $18 per day for the work carried out for the Japanese during their detention;

Whereas no amount of money could really compensate for the years lost by our Hong Kong veterans and the suffering they endured in the service of Canada, our Hong Kong veterans deserve special consideration;

Whereas the United Nations Sub-Commission on Human Rights recognized the validity of the claims by the Canadian veterans with regard to their forced labour during World War II in concluding that the Japanese had seriously violated the Geneva Convention;

Whereas the Sub-Commission also deems that there is no moratorium on war crimes;

Whereas the 1952 peace treaty between Japan and the Allies cannot erase all the claims by Canadian World War II veterans, as their claims involve rights granted under customary international humanitarian law;

Whereas the Canadian Government has never demonstrated the necessary will to support its veterans until now,

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade recommends that the Canadian Government:

1) Recognize the justification for the claim made by veterans against Japan regarding the forced labour carried out during World War II;

2) Pay the amount of $23,940, claimable from the Japanese, to every Hong Kong veteran and their widows; and

3) Claim the total amount from the Japanese Government according to international law.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was negativated on recorded division.

At 11:15 o'clock a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Janice Hilchie

Clerk of the Committee