André Ouellet

[Presence Of Canadian Troops In Former Yugoslavia, March 10th, 1994]

The number of troops will not change. In connection with this decision, the government will consider the possibility of redeploying some Canadian troops to the Balkans theatre, if that is what the United Nations Protection Force Command wishes, to provide maximum support for the current effort to achieve peace.

In making its decision, the government took into account the encouraging progress that has been made in the area. Specifically, ceasefires have been negotiated and observed in Sarajevo. The Archbishop of Sarajevo was here in this House a moment ago, and this seems an opportune time to make this statement when all parties involved are trying to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Sarajevo. We should also say that ceasefires have been negotiated throughout Central Bosnia, the parties in the conflict have begun serious negotiations, the airport in Tuzla has been turned over to the United Nations, and our unit in Srebrenica has managed to leave the enclave and rejoin its battalion in Visoko.

I can say today that Canadian soldiers carried out in Srebrenica an outstanding mission that brings credit to the Canadian armed forces.

We are now in a situation where major steps have been taken toward a peaceful solution, in particular the agreement between Croats and Muslims in Bosnia to form a Confederation. It is important to underline the vital diplomatic intervention of the Americans, who invited Croatian and Muslim representatives to Washington and helped them take this very big step toward peace.

Ceasefires have helped create an atmosphere of negotiation, facilitated the delivery of humanitarian aid and reduced the danger for the troops stationed in the area.

Canada has been a full participant in the diplomatic talks surrounding these developments in NATO, the United Nations and other forums. On the international scene, Canada has a duty to speak up whenever it does not agree with something but it also has an obligation to protect the unity of the allies. That is what the Prime Minister of Canada did at the NATO summit in Brussels when he vigorously opposed a military escalation in favour of diplomacy. Canada delayed the use of air strikes that could have been launched last January.

Today, without the use of air strikes, the airport in Tuzla has been liberated, our soldiers have left Srebrenica, and the peace process is resolutely moving forward. In its own way, Canada has served the cause of peace.

Under these circumstances, the presence of Canadian troops is more important than ever. We have an obligation to continue supporting the efforts being made by the international community under the direction of the United Nations in order to consolidate what has been accomplished in the past few weeks and clear the way for more progress in implementing the ceasefires and agreements. Canadian troops will be used more and more to carry out their traditional role as peacekeepers and will continue the task of helping ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the area.

I should also point out that Canada will continue to be an active player in the international effort to help in many ways. We will continue to provide financial support for various international humanitarian aid agencies and make military flights available to the United Nations to deliver that aid. We will continue to facilitate implementation of the United Nations sanctions, particularly through our naval units that are there.

Canada is also prepared to continue its effort in other non-military sectors, such as the presence of a large contingent of Royal Canadian Mounted Police and civilian experts. We will

also continue our efforts to find an overall diplomatic solution to the current conflict.

In closing, I would like to draw special attention to the outstanding job the Canadian military is doing in the former Yugoslavia. Despite conditions that at times have been very difficult, its contribution to peace is something that Canadians can be proud of and something that we in this House of Commons should commend.

[Presence Of Canadian Troops In Former Yugoslavia, March 10th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, first I would like to thank the hon. members of this House for allowing me to make this statement at this time.

I would like to inform the House of a decision the government made in this morning's Cabinet meeting regarding the presence of Canadian troops in the former Yugoslavia.

You will recall, Mr. Speaker, that last January, the government consulted the House on the future of our troops in that part of the world. During the debate, a majority of hon. members stated that they were in favour of maintaining a Canadian presence within the United Nations Protection Force in the former Yugoslavia. The House decided that Canada was making an important contribution to the objectives of preventing the war from escalating and getting out of hand, trying to negotiate an end to the conflict and participating in the humanitarian effort. The House also reaffirmed Canada's commitment to its traditional role of peacekeeper, the promotion of stability and security in Europe, and the quest for a negotiated solution to the situation in the Balkans.

I am pleased to announce today that in light of that debate and the developments that have taken place in recent weeks, the government has decided that the Canadian troops, whose mandate was set to end on March 31, will remain in the area for another six months.

[Canadian Flag, March 8th, 1994]

Madam Speaker, it seems to me quite obvious that the Canadian flag should be on display.

[Interparliamentary Exchanges, February 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, no doubt there will be other exchanges between the European Parliament and the Parliament of Canada. No doubt these European parliamentarians are quite welcome in all the provinces of Canada, including Quebec.

Those who came here met the Prime Minister and discussed Canadian issues and questions of interest for the European Parliament.

Those who came here also had the opportunity to meet the Deputy Prime Minister, who invited them to accompany her since she was going to the province of Quebec herself. So those who wanted to take advantage of that offer could have done so.

I repeat that only one parliamentarian found that procedure unacceptable. He should have stayed home, since he knew in advance that the trip would take them here, to Ottawa, and to Vancouver, and he should join us for another visit that will include a trip to the province of Quebec.

[Interparliamentary Exchanges, February 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I think that you were right to remind the hon. member that this kind of meeting of parliamentarians is organized by non-governmental organizations. From time to time, parliamentarians come to Canada under these exchange programs.

As part of the visit which took place, it was planned that they would come to Ottawa and go to British Columbia to study the forestry issue which is now the subject of consultations at the highest level.

So the parliamentarians who came here knew very well why they were coming and what their agenda would be. One of these parliamentarians, who probably has dealings with Quebec separatists, made a side trip to Montreal and denigrated this well-established parliamentary procedure of parliamentary exchanges which had been approved in advance. All the others were satisfied, except this black sheep who strayed in Montreal.

[Bosnia, February 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to report that the decision made in regard to the changing of the guard in Srebrenica is implemented. It is in the process of being totally implemented.

Unfortunately because of the weather conditions and the numerous points of control that the Dutch troops have to go through in order to arrive there, they are not there yet. However they are en route and I am optimistic that this will take place in the coming weeks.

[Bosnia, February 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, we feel that diplomatic initiatives by the Americans and the Russians helped to create a climate that is far more promising than has been the case so far. We feel that these diplomatic initiatives must continue and should be pursued in order to get the three parties involved in this conflict-Serbs, croats and Muslims-to agree to a peace process that would extend to all of former Yugoslavia. Meetings will be held in Europe tomorrow and at some time during the next few days in order to put in place, at the highest levels, a mechanism that will bring a durable peace to the region.

[Bosnia, February 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker the withdrawal of heavy artillery or its transfer to UN control has improved the situation very substantially, and the process is definitely producing the results expected by UN and NATO members.

The demilitarization of Sarajevo will continue, and that is why we felt it was important to maintain the threat of air strikes for the use in cases where either the Serbs or the Muslims would be inclined to bring back and use this heavy artillery.

However, we think the diplomatic initiatives produced results and the peace process has definitely been started and we hope that no air strikes will be necessary under the circumstances.

[Bosnia, February 17th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure I understood the question, but I presume the hon. member wants to know if I agree with the UN request to increase its force. I believe the answer is yes. We have told other countries that we feel we are doing more than our share and that they should make an extra contribution.

[Bosnia, February 17th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should know that Canada is third in terms of the contribution made to the UN force in the former Yugoslavia. We think that we have already done more than our share in this regard.

Obviously, the United Nations are trying to get additional troops to ensure an effective ceasefire and to maintain peace in that region.

I believe that other countries can make a greater effort and we hope that they will follow our example and reply positively to the UN Secretary General's request.