Bill Graham

[Iraq, March 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, we will continue to do what we have done since the outset. We will work with all of the other countries in the world to build consensus where possible at the Security Council and come up a solution. Obviously, as the Prime Minister said today, it is very difficult to be optimistic, but that does not mean that we will cease our efforts to find peace through the Security Council.

[Iraq, March 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I believe the Prime Minister made Canada's position very clear today in the House. We will not go to war without the support of the United Nations. We will let the American authorities know this and they will draw their own conclusions. I believe that our position is clear and consistent with Canada's longstanding position. That has been the Prime Minister's position from the outset.

[Zimbabwe, February 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the House and the hon. member that we are working closely with the Commonwealth secretariat, particularly the right hon. Donald McKinnon who is the secretary-general of the Commonwealth and the members of the troika to see if we can resolve this matter through the troika.

We recognize that the conduct of Zimbabwe and President Mugabe at this time is totally inconsistent with their Commonwealth obligations. However, we wish to work through the Commonwealth process before we make any clear decisions as to what should take place at the Commonwealth leaders meeting where this matter will be considered.

[Foreign Affairs, February 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank the member for his question and his interest in the welfare of the young Mr. Chevarie-Dudemaine and his family. His situation is obviously very difficult. We sympathize a great deal with his situation. We have done our job by visiting him and by providing this young prisoner with consular access.

However, I must point out that the process for transferring inmates between Canada and the United States is solely managed by Correctional Service Canada. As for the United States, the decision is made by the Governor of New Jersey. We will work together in order to—

[Human Rights, February 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the hon. member's description of these events as being horrible and unacceptable in a civilized country's behaviour. We brought this to the attention of the Iranian government. We will continue to raise these matters at the United Nations Human Rights Commission, as we have done in the past.

I assure the House and the hon. member that when we meet with our Iranian counterparts, if we have any discussions with them, we raise our human rights concerns with them. These are actively pursued by our government. We believe strongly in pursuing them internationally and bilaterally with Iran.

[Foreign Affairs, February 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should know, and I checked with the department this morning, that these materials were given to our department some time this month. On February 20 they were forwarded to our high commission in Zimbabwe for transfer to the defence counsel for the accused. We have provided to the accused all information which we can possibly do under Canadian law. We have forwarded it to them.

We certainly sympathize with the prosecution. We do not agree with that prosecution and will do everything we can to help the defence of the leader of the opposition in Zimbabwe.

[Border Security, February 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I certainly would hesitate to order a travel advisory based on a single very unfortunate incident. These are matters which we have constantly brought to the attention of the American authorities.

I have been assured by the ambassador and by Secretary Powell himself that profiling of the nature that is described in the hon. member's question is not being practised by the United States authorities, but that there are other circumstances which they may choose to consider when making a decision whether to admit someone into the United States. This matter can be raised with them, but we will obviously work with the United States to remove this type of--

[Foreign Affairs, February 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the reports to which the right hon. member makes reference, but I cannot verify them from a direct contact with the United States government. I can tell the right hon. member, however, that the situation in North Korea remains a preoccupation for us, of course.

I had a long conversation with the foreign minister of China last night. We spent a long time trying to work together to see how the international community can bring the United States and North Korea together, and how we can diffuse this. I find it difficult to believe the United States would be contemplating anything which would disturb the delicate equilibrium there, but we will continue to work with all parties to ensure this crisis is diffused peacefully.

[Iraq, February 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I think waffle was the name that was applied to the NDP some time ago so the member should know what he speaks of.

We have not been waffling. We have been clear in supporting the inspection process. We support Dr. Blix and a clear, credible process by the United Nations. Everybody in this country and other foreign countries understand that. I am sorry that the opposition cannot understand that.

I reject the idea that we are waffling. On the contrary, we have had a clear position and will continue to maintain it in the interest of peace.

[Iraq, February 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, clearly the government, ever since the Prime Minister met with the President of the United States back last fall, has been acting within the United Nations in a way which is the best way to guarantee peace.

We continue to do that with our recent proposal, because our proposal is one which enables the Security Council to come to grips with the problem of how to disarm Saddam Hussein within a time limit that will be satisfactory to all the powers, not just the great powers, and that is where we will continue to make our efforts.