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Question 1: L'examen de la politique étrangère de 1995 et après

Quels sont les valeurs et les intérêts qui devraient avoir le plus d’importance dans l’élaboration de notre politique étrangère? Comment la politique étrangère du Canada peut-elle mieux refléter les préoccupations et les priorités des Canadiens?

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Participant:	1911
Date:	2003-05-01 18:19:06
Réponses:
Foreign Policy should reflect the innate character of Canadians that is recognised around the world as civilized, educated, urbane and humanitarian.If we are criticized for not being sufficiently agressive so be it. It is wise that we should participate in those international organizations that seek to promote our own ideals, notably the United Nations. We should recognize, however that the majority voting power in that bodyids held by underdeveloped Nations whose asperations and demands are driven by a lack of realism. To this end, our accession to the U.N Treaty on Refugees should be seriously reviewed. This Treaty was produced largely in recognition that the USSR and members of its bloc did not recognize a right to emigration and that many of thei citizens suffered serious disabilities. That time has passed.Canada has become the main objective of reputative refugees due to our generous provision of welfare benefits. The Agreement requires that anyone reacing our border that speaks the four fatal words "I am a refugee" must be admitted, porovided with support and accomodation until their case is determined, generally a matter of two years. The result is a serious funancial strain on the resources of Citizensip and Immigration and the preemption of a large part of our stock of subsidized housing. From personal experiencre as an Immigration Consultant I can vouch that all this is now taken for granted and there is not much evidence of gratitude In another area, the NAFTA Agrrements in which Canada joined with the United States and Mexico, whileproviding considerable benefit to some Canadian exportesr has utterly failed to protect the export of some important natural products from the influence of certain vested interests in the USA. When this agrrement was first projected the opinions of those experienced in the customs tariff, including the staff of Customs and Excise were that the same advantages could be secured by maintained theTariffschedules while providing free entry for desired commodities. The whole matter should be subject to a drastic review. Our relationship with the United States transcends that of friendship. We are so inextricably linked that the relationship is that of members of the same family. It iswell known that Sibling rivalry can create problems. Canadians re very faimiliar with the United States where most have traveled and many resided and they are knowledgeable on the nature of US government. Amercans are much less likely to understand Canadians. Our interests are largely the same.An attack on the USA is an attack on Canada and vice versa.It is a different matter when US Foreign policy projects military operations against other countries. In such matters Canadian judgement and Canadian policy must be the prime consideration. Canada is the good friend of the United States, but the obligations of friendship do not include automatic concurrence with some policyof which we do approve and in which we have not been consulted. A good friend will warn his friend of an unwise action that may well prove disadvantagous. It is essential thar Canadian foreign policy is Made in Canad and independent of that of another country. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister were on sound grounds when they indicated that participation in a military exercise against Iraq would require an endorsement from the United Nations It is conceded that the UN is far from perfection but it is essential to recognize the Principle for which it was created,namely World concensus on vital matters Geoffrey Wasteneys
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