FAIT Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 2

Tuesday, February 24, 2004

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 3:33 p.m. this day, in Room 253-D Centre Block, the Chair, Bernard Patry, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Stéphane Bergeron, Art Eggleton, Francine Lalonde, Paul Harold Macklin, Diane Marleau, Alexa McDonough, Dan McTeague, Bernard Patry, Beth Phinney, Karen Redman, Raymond Simard and Bryon Wilfert.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz, Principal Analyst ; James Lee, Analyst.

Participants present: Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro: Dragoljub Micunovic, President of the Chamber of Citizens of the Federal Assembly; Zarko Korac, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia; Milorad Drljevic, Vice President of the Parliament of State Union of Serbia and Montenegro; Borislav Banovic, Member of the Parliament of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.

The Committee proceeded to consider its future business.

Francine Lalonde moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee study, in light of the recall of the ambassador to Denmark, the conditions that would have permitted members of Parliament, during the process of his nomination, to avoid for him the shame of being recalled and the tarnishing of the image of Canada’s diplomats.

Debate arose thereon.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the debate be now adjourned.

Francine Lalonde moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee examine the crisis in Haiti and request the permission of the House to set up a mission to that country in order to evaluate the situation and to advise the governement on its future decisions concerning the political process, the violation of human rights, the risk of escalation of the situation and what Canada could provide.

Debate arose thereon.

Stéphane Bergeron moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the word “request“ and replacing it with the words “consider the possibility of requesting“.

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

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

Alexa McDonough moved, — That pursuant to the order adopted on February 17, 2004, the Committee make it a priority to comply with the motions regarding disarmament and missile defence adopted on February 6, 2003 and May 27, 2003 respectively, including inviting and confirming a meeting with the Canadian Ambassador for Disarmament and representatives of the Canadian Network to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, and conducting hearings for the purpose of studying missile defence.

Debate arose thereon.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the debate be now adjourned.

At 4:16 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:18 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), and the motion adopted by the Committee on February 17, 2004, the Committee met with representatives of the Parliamentary delegation from Serbia and Montenegro.

The delegates made statements and answered questions.

At 5:16 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Stephen Knowles
Clerk of the Committee

2004/02/26 11:33 a.m.