Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Rosedale and the chairman of the parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade will agree with me that Canada and the U.S. share common objectives of democracy, human rights and market oriented reforms in Cuba. However, we differ on the best way to achieve such goals. Canada favours engagement and dialogue.
Currently there is legislation before the U.S. Congress which would extend the U.S. embargo against Cuba. When the legislation was first introduced in February, the Canadian government examined it and found provisions which could be harmful to Canadian interests. We made our concerns known to both the administration and Congress. As well, businesses and other groups on both sides of the border have opposed the legislation. Many other countries have also expressed concerns over the legislation.
Canada's key concerns related to proposals which would restrict imports of sugar and sugar-containing products from countries which import sugar from Cuba and which would allow U.S. citizens to make claims in U.S. courts against foreign companies investing in property expropriated by the Cuban government. This approach to claims would be contrary to generally accepted principles of international law and could have repercussions on international investments beyond Cuba. The proposals would restrict entry into the U.S. of officers of certain foreign companies which have business dealings with Cuba.
What is the current situation? Different versions of the bills have been passed by the House and the Senate and these now have to be reconciled in a conference committee. Canadian efforts were successful in having the proposed sugar restrictions removed from both versions of the bills.
Our other key concerns have been partly addressed. While the version of the bill passed by the Senate removes the provisions on investment claims and temporary entry, these remain in the House version of the legislation. Canada is continuing to press for the controversial provisions dropped from the version passed by the Senate to not be reintroduced in any final version of the legislation.
It is not clear when the conference committee will present a reconciled version of the legislation or if the common bill would be able to muster enough votes to pass both the House and the Senate. If passed, the final stage would be to send the bill to the President for his consideration. As the hon. member knows, the U.S. administration shares many of Canada's concerns. The U.S. Secretary of State has told Congress that he will recommend that President Clinton veto the bill if an unacceptable version is passed. Should the objectionable provisions be reinserted, Canada would urge a presidential veto of the bill.
I compliment the hon. member. I know he has many connections, communications and dealings with colleagues in the United States. He has also been playing a very important role in helping us to keep a Canadian foreign policy, while letting the United States keep its foreign policy in relation to Cuba.