Canada has been very, very active, as you will know, at the United Nations Human Rights Council in terms of campaigning for various resolutions, usually proposed by the Americans, that have been getting tougher and tougher upon the Sri Lankans. The notion that Canada would continue to campaign in other fora for that to transpire in terms of a reference by the Security Council to the ICC I think is something that should be looked at with immense interest and genuine commitment.
I would want to be frank with you, however; nothing I saw about the Chinese disposition in the region would lead me to believe that they would not deploy their veto. In fact, I think they would use the veto to increase their economic leverage in the country. The country does have some natural riches. The country has some materials that are of great value to the Chinese. The notion that they would stand down on those economic interests simply because of a point of principle on human rights or impunity I think might be a little bit optimistic. But I have no remit with respect to China, so this is completely beyond that remit.
My general view is that the greater the impact of Chinese actions relative to how they are viewed in the world, the greater the possibility that over time they will move to a more responsible deployment of their international capacity in a fashion that is constructive. The British Foreign Office always says about the Chinese, particularly relative to Africa and the Caribbean, that the FCO very much anticipates a fully mature Chinese participation in international diplomacy that respects its standing as a major global power.
That's a euphemistic way of saying that maybe someday they'll step up to the table of those who are trying to find the right way ahead. But any proximate hope is not something I could extend as we speak here today.