FAIT Committee Meeting

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 91

Monday, September 16, 2002

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met in a televised session at 9:10 a.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Bernard Patry, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Sarkis Assadourian, Bill Casey, Stockwell Day, John Harvard, Francine Lalonde, Hon. Diane Marleau, Keith Martin, Bernard Patry.

Acting Members present: Marlene Catterall for Hon. Jean Augustine; Alexa McDonough for Svend Robinson; David Price for Hon. Jean Augustine; David Pratt for Aileen Carroll; John Godfrey for Pat O’Brien; Cheryl Gallant for Keith Martin; Leon Benoit for Deepak Obhrai; Rahim Jaffer for John Duncan; John O’Reilly for Marlene Jennings; Marcel Proulx for Stan Keyes; Stéphane Bergeron for Pierre Paquette; Mac Harb for Mark Eyking.

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz, James Lee, Research Officers.

Witnesses: From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: John McNee, Assistant Deputy Minister, (Africa and Middle East); Jill E. Sinclair, Director General, International Security Bureau.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee proceeded to discuss its future business.

By unanimous consent, the Committee considered the question of Iraq.

It was agreed, --That the Committee, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), hear officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade on the situation in Iraq later today.

Francine Lalonde moved,

            Whereas it is alleged that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction in its possession;

Whereas testimony was heard in committee in the spring of 2002 and at hearings on the situation in Iraq in the spring of 2000;

Whereas the Government of Canada has always officially called for the return of the UN disarmament inspectors;

Whereas many Members of Parliament are in favour of having Canada play the role of honest broker in this regard;

Whereas the United States is considering attacking Iraq unilaterally;

Whereas there is criticism from many influential individuals in the United States and less public support for a unilateral attack by the United States;

Whereas Canada's is a tradition of multilateral action;

It is proposed:

-- That the Committee begin hearings as soon as possible on the situation in Iraq and on Canada's policy on Iraq;

-- That the Committee look into ways to promote an early return of the UN disarmament inspectors to Iraq;

Debate arose.

David Pratt moved, --That the motion be amended by deleting paragraphs 4 to 7 of the preamble.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment and it was agreed to.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, --That the motion be further amended by deleting paragraphs 1 to 3 of the preamble and the following substituted therefore:

“Considering the gravity of the current situation and the prospect of imminent military action against Iraq.”

The question was put on the motion as amended and it was agreed to as follows:

Considering the gravity of the current situation and the prospect of imminent military action against Iraq, it was agreed,

-- That the Committee begin hearings as soon as possible on the situation in Iraq and on Canada's policy on Iraq;

-- That the Committee look into ways to promote an early return of the United Nations disarmament inspectors to Iraq.

At 10:06 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 10:15 a.m., the sitting resumed.

John  McNee made a statement and with Jill E. Sinclair answered questions.

Francine Lalonde moved,

--That the Committee express its strong preference for  a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict with Iraq;

--That the Committee urge the government to use all diplomatic tools at its disposal for a quick return into Iraq of the UN disarmament inspectors;

-- That the committee recommend to the government that it offer its services to the UN Secretary General for the nomination of an honest broker whose mandate would be to build confidence and cooperation between parties, making sure that the UNMOVIC inspectors:

a) have all the freedom they need to pursue their work of disarmament; and

b) remain within the framework of their duty, excluding any work done on behalf of any country.

Debate arose.

Diane Marleau moved, --That paragraph 3 be deleted and the following substituted therefore:

“That the Committee recommend to the Government that it examine any steps it might take in support of the Security Council”

Debate arose.

By unanimous consent David Pratt moved, --That the motion be amended by further adding after paragraph 3 the following:

In relation to the current situation in Iraq, the Committee recommends, --that the Federal Government urge the United Nations Security Council to pass a strongly worded resolution calling upon the Government of Iraq to immediately and fully comply with all relevant resolutions subsequent to the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 660 and, furthermore, that the government of Iraq give the highest priority to immediately allowing the return of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the sole purpose of verifying the elimination of Iraq’s chemical, biological and nuclear weapons capability.

Debate arose.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, --That the amendments of Diane Marleau and David Pratt be withdrawn.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, --That paragraph 3 be deleted and the following substituted therefore:

--That the Committee recommend to the Government that it examine any steps it might take in support of the Security Council, including offering our diplomatic services to the Secretary General, as well as urging the Council to pass a strongly worded resolution calling upon the government of Iraq to immediately and fully comply with all relevant resolutions subsequent to Security Council Resolution 660 and, furthermore, that the government of Iraq give the highest priority to immediately allowing the return of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the sole purpose of verifying the elimination of Iraq’s chemical, biological and nuclear weapons capability.

The question was put on the motion as amended and it was agreed to as follows:

-- That the Committee express its strong preference for  a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict with Iraq;

-- That the Committee urge the Government to use all diplomatic tools at its disposal for a quick return into Iraq of the UN disarmament inspectors;

-- That the Committee recommend to the Government that it examine any steps it might take in support of the Security Council, including offering our diplomatic services to the Secretary General, as well as urging the Council to pass a strongly worded resolution calling upon the government of Iraq to immediately and fully comply with all relevant resolutions subsequent to Security Council Resolution 660 and, furthermore, that the government of Iraq give the highest priority to immediately allowing the return of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the sole purpose of verifying the elimination of Iraq’s chemical, biological and nuclear weapons capability.

At 11:57 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Stephen Knowles

Clerk of the Committee