FAIT Committee Meeting
Notices of Meeting include information about the subject matter to be examined by the committee and date, time and place of the meeting, as well as a list of any witnesses scheduled to appear. The Evidence is the edited and revised transcript of what is said before a committee. The Minutes of Proceedings are the official record of the business conducted by the committee at a sitting.
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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Meeting No. 51
Wednesday, May 31, 2000
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met in camera at 3:40 p.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Bill Graham, Diane Marleau, Ted McWhinney, Deepak Obhrai, Denis Paradis, Bernard Patry, Bob Speller.
Acting Members present: Raymonde Folco for Colleen Beaumier; Irwin Cotler for Fred Mifflin; Rahim Jaffer for Gurmant Grewal; Gary Lunn for Darrell Stinson; Daniel Turp for Yves Rocheleau; Libby Davies for Svend Robinson.
From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: David Goetz and Gerald Schmitz Research Officers. From Legal & Legislative Services: Susan Baldwin, Legislative Clerk, Anne Marie Hébert, Legislative Counsel, Philippe Méla, Legislative Translator.
Witnesses: From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Darryl Robinson, Legal Officer, United Nations, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Section. From the Department of Justice: Donald K. Piragoff, General Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section. From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Patricia Lortie, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Global and Security Policy; David McKinnon, Acting Director, Korea and Oceania Division; Gail Tyerman, Deputy Director, United Nations and Commonwealth Affairs Division.
Pursuant to its Order of Reference of Monday, May 8, 2000, the Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-19, An Act respecting genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes and to implement the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (See Minutes of Proceedings, Thursday, May 11, 2000 , Meeting No. 45).
At 3:55, Irwin Cotler took the Chair.
At 5:00 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 5:05, the sitting resumed in public with the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee commenced its examination of the crisis in Fiji.
Patricia Lortie made an opening statement and along with , David McKinnon and Gail Tyerman, answered questions.
After debate, the following resolution was agreed to as amended:
Regretting the loss of life and other serious implications of the May 19 2000 coup in Fiji;
Aware that following the coup attempt, Fijian Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and a number of his Cabinet ministers have been held hostage in Suva, and conscious that, according to reports, the President of Fiji, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, was asked to form an interim government that would see the removal of the democratically elected Prime Minister and his Cabinet, and possible amnesty for the coup participants.
Reaffirming the importance of the unconditional release of the hostages and the restoration of the democratically elected government of Fiji;
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade recommends that the Government of Canada:
Continue diplomatic initiatives, in association with Commonwealth members, other like-minded states and in the United Nations Security Council, to ensure the restoration of the democratically elected government of Fiji;
Take the position, in no uncertain terms, that should Fiji fail to restore democratic rule in accordance with the 1997 Constitution, Canada will advocate its suspension from the Commonwealth, and will consider means to impose economic sanctions on Fiji.
Take measures to expedite visas and consider temporarily lifting visa requirements for Fijian nationals travelling to Canada should circumstances require.
It was agreed, --That the resolution be adopted as the Sixth Report of the Committee and that the Chair be authorized to present it to the House.
At 5:40 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Marie Danielle Vachon
Clerk of the Committee