Perhaps I have time to read to the minister article 29 of the Vienna Convention, which Canada signed. The article clearly stipulates that:
The person of a diplomatic agent shall be inviolable. He shall not be liable to any form of arrest or detention. The receiving State shall treat him with due respect and shall take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on his person, freedom or dignity.
In 1988, Canada designated the Francophonie as an organization whose diplomatic representatives would enjoy the privileges provided for in the Vienna Convention.
Madam Minister, I simply want to say that we ask our question on behalf of all Canadians. Mr. Diouf is free to say what he thinks, that is only one aspect of the issue. However, we would like to know what the government thinks on this matter.
I would like to know if you're satisfied with what happened and if you believe that it was appropriate.
Another point I would like to raise is the quality of the French that we speak on the international stage. Would it be possible to make sure that when a spokesperson speaks on behalf of the government in international fora, that that person fully understands French and is able to read French text in a way that is intelligle.