André Ouellet

[Foreign Affairs, May 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I may remind the hon. member that there have been quite a few zigzags in his political career. All things considered, I think-

[Foreign Affairs, May 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I can inform the Leader of the Opposition there has been no change in policy. The Leader of the Opposition may want to see an element of contradiction, but I think it is a case of wishful thinking on his part.

Both in Rwanda and Haiti, the Government of Canada is pursuing very specific objectives: to persuade the parties to stop killing each other, and to support all humanitarian efforts to help the people in those areas. And in the second case, to bring Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the president in exile, back to Haiti. In both cases, anything we can do in co-operation with our partners and allies will be in line with the government's objectives.

We may have to fine-tune our approach in the weeks to come, but the objectives remain the same, and there has been no change in policy on the part of the government.

[Rwanda, May 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to discuss this issue today with the US ambassador to the UN, Madeleine Albright, who was passing through Ottawa. I reminded her that Canada finds it regrettable that the UN security council did not decide to send a bigger contingent than that currently in Rwanda to assist General Dallaire, who is trying to get the parties to agree to a ceasefire.

I remind the hon. member that on Friday Canada asked the UN Human Rights Commission to look into the situation in Rwanda with the utmost urgency and make a series of recommendations in this regard. Finally, I remind him that Canada made available to the United Nations and humanitarian organizations two military planes now in Nairobi that can at any time bring food and medicine to the afflicted people of Kigali and the surrounding area.

[Human Rights, May 4th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, we have read the Amnesty International report and asked our ambassador to raise this issue with the Lebanese officials. When I receive further information, I will gladly pass it on to this House and to the hon. member in particular.

[Rwanda, May 4th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. I want to assure him that Canada is certainly actively pursuing various avenues with other members of the UN to try to help the people in Rwanda.

Brigadier General Dallaire, a Canadian, is in charge of the UN forces there. He is certainly pursuing all avenues to try to bring the factions to their senses and to stop them killing each other.

We do not belong to the security council. Therefore it would be difficult for us to lead the discussion there. I take the recommendation of the member in good spirit. Certainly Canada, through some members of the security council, could pursue initiatives to try to lead to a greater presence of UN forces there.

More important, when the factions have stopped this terrible slaughter, Canada will be ready to move in with humanitarian assistance to help rebuild that country.

[Restoration Of Democracy In Haiti, May 4th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that Canada supports the return of President Aristide to Haiti.

We believe that a total embargo could bring about the withdrawal of the military people who are holding a suffering population hostage.

If the Americans and a number of other countries through the United Nations pass a resolution to bring a total embargo against Haiti, it is possible the embargo will not be a very long one. It will become very clear to the military people that they cannot stay there and they will resign in the following hours.

It is time to show unequivocally the military people there that they cannot perpetrate the denial of the vast majority of Haitians who voted freely for President Aristide.

[Restoration Of Democracy In Haiti, May 4th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, in response to questions, the U.S. president stated that he was not ruling out any option, any alternative. I must say that Canada did not contemplate the possibility of armed intervention, whether multilateral or unilateral, as we are convinced that stiffer economic sanctions would overcome the military junta and that it is appropriate to impose effective sanctions, which involves the participation and co-operation of the Dominican Republic in particular. We think it is still possible to make the military rulers resign without having to resort to armed intervention.

[Restoration Of Democracy In Haiti, May 4th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, naturally, we hope that a solution will finally be found to the long-lasting impasse in Haiti. We are making every effort to support the elected president, Mr. Aristide; we think he should return to his country. We think, as the American president said, that General Cédras and the chief of police of the city of Port-au-Prince must resign. We continue to believe that a total embargo is the only effective way to subdue the military.

[South Africa, May 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I think that all members of this House will rejoice at the outcome of the very peaceful, well run election in South Africa.

Clearly we are very happy at having been associated with those who organized this election. Canada contributed to the preparations for the campaign. Number two at Elections Canada, Mr. Gould, was sent there and was part of the team which organized the elections. Certainly he has done a magnificent job along with the others who were responsible for this election.

I would like to say that any new Canadian initiatives will first have to be discussed with the new government. Certainly the Secretary of State for Africa upon returning Canada will convene a meeting of representatives of NGOs, associations, groups and individuals who would like to discuss what kind of aid Canada should be giving in the future to South Africa.

Following these consultations, certainly we will be in a position to make statements in this House in this regard.

[Rwanda, May 2nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member is aware, the Canadian International Development Agency has donated $1 million for emergency aid, and we have also donated $2 million to the International Red Cross to help save lives and help the wounded in that country. It is not much, considering the extent of the slaughter. Canada, in co-operation with other countries, is trying to determine what kind of humanitarian aid should be sent immediately.

Obviously, as long as the fighting and the carnage continues, it is extremely difficult to bring in humanitarian aid and ensure it reaches those who need it. Nevertheless, Canada and other countries will continue to look for ways to go and help these people who have been left to fend for themselves.