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The World in Canada

Volume 27, Number 2

PUBLISHER

Table of
Donna Jacobs

CONTENTS
PUBLISHER IN MEMORIAM
Neil Reynolds
EDITOR
Jennifer Campbell
ART DIRECTOR
Paul Cavanaugh
BOOKS EDITOR
George Fetherling
DIPLOMATICA|
CULTURE EDITOR Political cartoons from around the world . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Margo Roston Fen Hampson and Derek Burney: The U.S. doesn’t need us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Questions Asked: Canada’s UN man on his role and the institution . . . . . . . . 26
Ülle Baum
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Good Deeds: Vicki Heyman’s artful diplomacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Alberto Aristides Arosemeda Notes from the Field: Project TEMPO helps Tanzania’s girls and women . . . . 33
Mary Lu Beaupré Trade Winds: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Costa Rica and Pakistan . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Laura Neilson Bonikowsky
John W. Boscariol
Diplomatic Agenda: Turkey’s at the heart of the refugee crisis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Derek Burney
Roberto Dormond-Cantu
Alexander N. Darchiev DISPATCHES|
Margaret Dickenson 2016: Annus horribilis?
Derek Fraser This year is producing numerous reasons for concern. We list the top 10 . . . . 40
Fen Hampson
Robert A. Glasgow
Robert Henderson Two views on Russia
Tariq Azim Khan Russia: Ambassador Darchiev on his country in the modern world . . . . . . . . 52
Joe Landry
George L. Marcantonatos
Russia, Ukraine and the Minsk Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Robert I. Rotberg
Koviljka Spiric Justin Trudeau’s foreign policy: What to expect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Selçuk Unal Robert I. Rotberg: South Africa’s looming crisis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Pieter Van den Weghe
Anthony Wilson-Smith Taiwan’s election and what it means for the two ‘Chinas’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Greece: An ambassador's call for co-ordinated action on refugee crisis . . . . . . 69
Ülle Baum Steve Cain Sanctions against Iran: heavy and light lifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Jana Chytilova Larry Dickenson
Ronald Duschesne Nermine Fahmy
Ashley Fraser
Lois Siegel
Sam Garcia
DELIGHTS|
Business Management Books: Second World War Paris, The French Resistance and Afghanistan . . . 74
Jessie Reynolds O’Neil Canadiana: Asian heritage celebrated Canada-style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
WEBMASTER Food: The culinary offerings of South Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Gilles Laberge, www.redrocket.ca
Distribution
Wine: Grüner Vetliner, a new darling of the wine world . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Pierre Pagé and Peixian Han Residences: Morocco’s custom-built home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
OFFICE LIAISON Envoys’ album . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Sharleen Tattersfield
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
Photo finish: A gorilla in the wild . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Contact Donna Jacobs, [email protected]
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Diplomat & International Canada is published four DIGNITARIES|
times a year. Subscription rates: one year $39.80. New arrivals in the diplomatic corps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
For Canadian orders, add 13% HST. U.S. orders,
add $15 for postage. All others, add $25. DIPLOMATIC LISTINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
SUBMISSIONS: Diplomat & International Canada
welcomes submissions. Contact Jennifer Campbell
at [email protected] or (613) 231-8476. destinations|
PRINTER: The Lowe Martin Group. Panama’s peril: Once you get there, you may never want to leave . . . . . . . . 104
DIPLOMAT & INTERNATIONAL CANADA
P.O Box 1173, Station B
cover photo:© UNHCR/Ivor Prickett
Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1P 5R2
Phone: (613) 422-5262 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material.
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Published by Sparrow House Diplomat Magazine, P.O. Box 1173, Station B, Ottawa, ON K1P 5R2
Enterprises Inc. The views expressed in the articles are those of the authors.

14 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 AFTER INAUGURATION |DI PLO M AT I CA

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D I P L O M AT I C A | EDITOR’S NOTE

a public “declaration of independence.”

Up front, columnist Fen Hampson CONTRIBUTORS
teams up with former Canadian ambas-
sador to the U.S., Derek Burney, to write Robert D’A. Henderson, writer
about the Canada-U.S. relationship and
their opinion that, in spite of a glitzy offi-
cial visit by the Trudeaus in Washington in
Jennifer March, the U.S. doesn’t care much about
Campbell
Canada.
We also have my interview with Mi-
2016: Annus horribilis? chael Grant, one of Canada’s two ambas-
sadors to the United Nations. I had been

D
onald Trump has a clear chance asking him for an interview for months
of becoming the Republican can- and was repeatedly turned down without Robert D’A. Henderson is a retired
didate for the presidency of the explanation by Foreign Affairs officials. professor of international rela-
United States, a position often referred to I renewed my request after the October tions and currently does international
as “leader of the free world.” election and bingo, it was granted. “Just assessments and elections monitor-
If only Trump’s candidacy — and the the fact that we’re doing this interview is ing in the former Soviet Union, the
U.S. primary and election spectacle as significant,” Grant said, referring to Prime Middle East, the Horn of Africa
a whole — were 2016’s most disturbing Minister Justin Trudeau’s letter to diplo- and East Asia, among others. His
eventuality. Alas, it isn’t. Writer Laura mats stating they could, once again, speak recent writings include “China –
Neilson Bonikowsky has come up with on behalf of what is now called Global Af- Great Power Rising,” in the Routledge
nine others to join it. The war in Syria, fairs Canada — that they are the experts. Handbook of Diplomacy and Statecraft
conflict in the Middle East, a refugee If trade is your interest, check out the (London and New York).  Previously,
crisis, a sagging Canadian economy, cli- articles written by the ambassadors of Bos- he edited the respected Brassey’s
mate change, China’s slumping economic nia and Herzegovina and Costa Rica and International Intelligence Yearbook
growth, a bellicose Russia, provocation in by the Pakistani high commissioner on (Washington, D.C.), after serving as a
the South China Sea and cyber attacks all trade between their countries and Canada. senior international strategic analyst
join the U.S. election on our Top 10 count- On the subject of refugees, Turkish Am- for the Canadian government and
down of a year worthy of worries. bassador Selçuk Ünal and Greek Ambas- after teaching international relations
We look at Russia twice in this edi- sador George Marcantonatos each write and security studies at universities
tion. In February, Russian Ambassador passionately about how their governments in Canada and overseas for nearly
Alexander Darchiev made a rare public are dealing with the unprecedented influx 20 years.
address in which he discussed his coun- of refugees into their respective countries.
try, its ideology and what he’d like to do In our Delights section, George Fether- Ashley Fraser, photographer
to improve relations between Russia and ling features books on the Nazi oc-
Canada. We dedicated several pages to cupation of Paris, the French resistance
his speech in an effort to give our readers movement and the Afghan people.
the diplomatic view from official Russia. Food columnist Margaret Dicken-
We also asked Derek Fraser, our resident son writes about the culinary history of
expert on Ukraine, for an update on rela- South Africa, while culture editor Margo
tions between Russian and Ukraine and Roston takes us on a tour of Moroccan
the prospects for stability there. Ambassador Nouzha Chekrouni’s Aylmer
In addition, retired political science residence. Our wine columnist, Pieter Van
professor Robert Henderson writes about den Weghe, toasts Grüner Veltliner and Ashley Fraser has been a professional
Taiwan after Tsai Ing-wen, the DPP par- Canadiana writer Anthony Wilson-Smith photographer for more than 10 years
ty’s candidate and Taiwan’s first female celebrates Asian history in Canada. and was nominated for a National
president, won the presidency in Janu- Finally, in our Destinations section, Newspaper Award in 2008. She still
ary. Tensions with China in general, and Panamanian Ambassador Aristides Arose- considers each shoot exciting. From
in the South China Sea in particular, are mena Medina takes us on an armchair being welcomed into an ambas-
on everyone’s radar given the change in tour of his country. sador ’s residence to being in the
government and the desire by some in Tai- middle of breaking news for a daily
wan's newly elected government to make Jennifer Campbell is editor of Diplomat. newspaper, there is always some-
thing to learn with each experience,
she says. When she doesn’t have
U P F R ON T a camera in her hands, you’ll find
2016 is shaping up to be a concerning year. Between her at the gym or on a snowboard,
the war in Syria, simmering tensions between Russia wakeboard, or standup paddleboard,
and neighbouring Ukraine, economic slumps across depending on the season.
the globe, to name a few, there's plenty to rob one
of sleep. Our cover photo illustrates Syrian refugees
making their way to Greece. Our cover package be-
gins on page 40.

16 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 AL
WWW.GOLD-ART.COM 613.230.5333
diplomat and international canada 17
D I P L O M AT I C A | CARTOONS

Political commentary from around the world

“Tintin’s Latest Adventure” by Paresh Nath, The Khaleej Times, UAE

“Kim Jong Un Nuclear Dreaming” by Riber Hansson, “Brexiters’ Dreams” by Paresh Nath, The Khaleej Times, UAE
Sydsvenskan, Sweden

18 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 CARTOONS |DI PLO M AT I CA

“Xi Jinping Censorship” by Riber Hansson, Sydsvenskan, “Kim’s Missile” by Paresh Nath, The Khaleej Times, UAE
Sweden

“Three Billions More” by Rainer Hachfeld, Neues Deutschland, Germany “5 Years of Arab Spring” by Tom Janssen, The Netherlands

“Made in Germany” by Michael Kountouris, Greece “Instructions” by Joep Bertrams, The Netherlands

diplomat and international canada 19

D I P L O M AT I C A | CARTOONS

“Syria” by Schot, De Volkskrant, Netherlands “After the Cologne Assaults” by Patrick Chappatte, Le Temps, Switzerland

“Iran Deal” by Emad Hajjaj, Jordan “Spotlight” by Mike Keefe, Cagle Cartoons

“Putin Protects Assad” by Kap, La Vanguardia, Spain “Trump and Cruz Maple Leaf” by Daryl Cagle, CagleCartoons.com

20 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 CARTOONS |DI PLO M AT I CA

Courtesy of Caglecartoons.com

“Brexit” by Kap, La Vanguardia, Spain “Passport Trojan” by Luojie, China Daily, China

“Supreme Court Vacancy” by Daryl Cagle, CagleCartoons.com “Assad Geneva Talks” by Emad Hajjaj, Jordan

“Great Britain Menu” by Tom Janssen, The Netherlands “Merkel and Refugees” by Christo Komarnitski, Bulgaria

diplomat and international canada 21

D I P L O M AT I C A | Canada -U.S. R elations

‘Canada doesn’t matter much to the U.S. anymore’

For many years, our ace in the hole with the Americans was the energy we exported to them.

us. That was the rap against former prime of Chinese goods ($482 billion versus $116
minister Stephen Harper in the last elec- billion of U.S. exports.) By this measure,
tion: that he had blown it in his dealings Canada is now No. 2, accounting for 15
with the White House over his tub thump- percent of U.S. trade (though Canada is
ing on the Keystone Pipeline. Harper still No. 1 when services are added to the
assumed that pragmatic factors would equation), but we sell far less to the United
outweigh trendy sentiment. He was States than China, only $295 billion, and
wrong. Canada’s new political leadership we are buying almost as much as we sell
By Fen Hampson and Derek Burney team is going to find out sooner rather to the U.S. — $280 billion. And what hap-
than later that they are fettered by the pened with goods may happen with ser-

W
e should get used to it. Canada same constraints, especially when a new vices as the Chinese economy undergoes
doesn’t matter much to the president is sworn in next year. its own transformation towards services
United States anymore, not- Let’s be clear, though. It’s not that and high-tech and away from export-led
withstanding the warm reception the Americans are mean-spirited. They just growth based on manufacturing.
prime minister received at the White don’t see us as that important to them Moreover, Mexico may soon replace us
House during his official visit in March. and, besides, they have complex domestic as No. 2, given its rapid economic growth,
Some of this is our doing. But much of it and global problems more pressing than which is projected to jump between
is also driven by economics and domestic issues with their northern neighbour.  three and four percent in the coming
© Americanspirit | Dreamstime.comv

politics in the U.S. As our importance When it comes to trade and investment, years, while ours is flat-lined, and given
to our American friends fades, we need Canada is not only of declining impor- Mexico’s larger population (120 million
a different kind of strategy to deal with tance to the United States, but the U.S. is versus our 36 million). Mexico imported
Washington. We need one driven by a also increasingly our trading competitor. $236 billion in goods from the U.S. and
better appreciation of our own national What was little noticed at the end of exported $294 billion, just $1 billion shy of
interests, but also how a changing world last year was that China replaced Canada what we sold.
is affecting the United States.  as the United States’ No. 1 trading partner For many years, our ace-in-the-hole
For too long, Canadians have believed in goods, accounting for 16 percent of with the Americans was our energy
we are important to the U.S. and that if we overall U.S. trade, with the bulk of that exports. As U.S. oil and gas production
are nice to Americans, they will be nice to trade being lopsided towards U.S. imports declined in the late 1990s, American

22 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 Canada-U.S. R el ations |DI PLO M AT I CA

dependence on Canadian hydrocarbon public consultations that will slow what

exports correspondingly grew. We were is already a glacial approvals process to
the U.S.’s most important source of energy build new tidewater terminals on the Pa-
imports. Political instability in the Middle cific and the Atlantic. In innovation, we
East meant Canadian oil came with a bleed more than we lead. A falling dollar
valuable security premium. That was one will accelerate the outflow of talented
reason the Americans committed them- researchers and entrepreneurs to the U.S.
selves under NAFTA (North American On defence and security, we continue
Free Trade Agreement) not to do anything to play our hand badly. Although former
that would interfere with the free move- prime minister Jean Chrétien could have
ment of energy across our borders. given a hand to the Americans in the Iraq
Although we are still the U.S.'s most War, for domestic political reasons, he
important energy supplier, exporting decided not to. The Americans accepted
roughly 3.4 million barrels per day, the U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter our decision and expressed the hope that
net is almost a million barrels lower (2.58 Chrétien would not go out of his way to
million). We import refined oil products wood products, where we have wrestled express his opposition publicly. But then
in bulk from the U.S. to meet our own with the Americans over stumpage fees he did just that, to their great annoyance.
needs because we lack domestic refining for shakes and shingles (the current agree- In subsequent efforts to patch things
capacity. With development of U.S. shale ment is over and is now a hot topic), and up, he and his successor put more ground
oil reserves and application of deep un- U.S. labelling on our beef and pork.  troops into Afghanistan and got us heavily
derground reserve fracking technology, But competition now extends to energy, involved in the war against the Taliban.
which incidentally, and perhaps ironically, metals and other commodities. The Amer- Regardless of the merits of that decision,
is a Canadian invention, U.S. domes- icans are beating a path to Asia faster than it was costly in terms of lives lost and the
tic production has surged to the point we are. The U.S. has built LNG (liquefied hundreds of millions of dollars of devel-
where only 27 percent of the petroleum natural gas) terminals on its West Coast opment and humanitarian assistance we
consumed by the U.S. is imported from and has already begun shipments to Asia. threw at the Afghans. It also did not trans-
abroad, the lowest level since 1985. The The torrent of U.S. shale gas exports into late into the kind of influence or quid pro
U.S. is also now in the business of export- the global market is projected to lower quo on things that mattered to us, such as
ing oil and refined oil products.  the price of the heating fuel in Asia by easing post-9/11 border controls or work-
By changing U.S. laws to allow for the almost five percent. Meanwhile, Canada ing with Canada on joint infrastructure
development of oil reserves in ecologically dilly-dallies with a requirement for further projects such as the construction of a new
sensitive offshore reserves and also in
Alaska, Obama's administration signalled
that when it came to American interests,
climate-change concerns came second to
achieving energy self-sufficiency.
The same cannot be said for the way
the administration treated Canada.
The U.S. president’s decision to refuse
to issue a permit for the construction of
the Keystone Pipeline was all about politi-
cal symbolism and appeasing the climate-
change lobby. But it also spoke to a deeper
truth about the Canada-U.S. relationship
— Canada no longer matters as much as it
did to U.S. energy security needs in an era
The best place for her future is
of cheap oil and alternative sources of sup-
ply. Nor, for that matter, does the health
a place with a lot of history.
of the Canadian economy, which needed
the pipeline for jobs and growth. The one E L M W O O D S C H O O L – C E L E B R AT I N G 1 0 0 Y E A R S
area where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau O F E D U C AT I N G G I R L S A N D Y O U N G W O M E N .
appears to see eye-to-eye with President
Obama is climate change, but now, be-
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U.S. Department of Defense

able Paris goals, as with the earlier Kyoto Call (613) 744-7783 or email [email protected]
Agreement. to arrange your tour today.
Despite talk about North American
value chains and the integrated nature of
the economies of Canada, Mexico and the
U.S., the U.S. is increasingly competing www.elmwood.ca
with Canada. That has long been true of

diplomat and international canada 23

D I P L O M AT I C A | Canada -U.S. R elations

bridge across the Detroit River. Among the Republican contenders, Don-
Today, history is repeating itself. ald Trump would play the same kind of
Trudeau has stuck to his guns and made hardball with Canada he is promising the
good on his electoral promise to withdraw Mexicans. In spite of the fact that he was
Canada from the air bombing campaign born in Canada, Ted Cruz is running away
against ISIS. The Americans have said from his birthplace as quickly as he can
nothing to criticize Canada publicly, and he and Trudeau would not likely see
though Secretary of Defense Ashton eye-to-eye on very much.
Carter made his unhappiness known by If we are to tap the emerging markets of
not inviting Canada’s defence minister Asia to grow the Canadian economy and
to a meeting of anti-ISIS coalition mem- reduce our trade dependence on the U.S.,
bers earlier this year. To try to keep the we must strike out on our own with new
Americans and our other NATO allies Hillary Clinton has said she won’t allow the bilateral trade deals, such as the one we
Keystone Pipeline project.
happy, Canada announced it will double recently concluded with Korea. 
the size of our training mission to help Canada’s biggest challenge right now is
Iraqi Kurds, while increasing humanitar- our aging CF18s, this will not sit well in to change our own expectations about our
ian assistance to those frontline states — the land of Lockheed Martin, or do much relationship with our neighbour. We need
Lebanon and Jordan — that are struggling for our “interoperability” with the United a mature relationship with the U.S. — de-
to cope with a massive influx of refugees States Air Force. Our other NATO allies fending our interests, instead of “making
fleeing the war in neighbouring Syria.  who have already signed on to buy the nice” should be the No. 1 priority. Getting
In truth, many serious global chal- F35 won’t be very happy with us, either. the infrastructure to export energy beyond
lenges, such as the crisis in Syria, have Whoever wins the White House in the the one market, the U.S., where we sell at
been mishandled by the U.S. and its November presidential election will not be a discount, should be a singular priority.
western allies. We may well be consigned looking out for Canada’s interests. Hillary
to the periphery and should be careful Clinton, the Democratic front-runner, has Derek H. Burney is senior strategic ad-
not to exaggerate our significance or our already said she won’t reverse Obama’s viser to Norton Rose Fulbright and was
capacity, especially since we spend barely decision on the Keystone pipeline. She is Canadian ambassador to the U.S. from
one percent of our GDP on defence. If, also opposed to the recently concluded 1989 to 1993. Fen Osler Hampson is a dis-
as rumoured, the government chooses Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, tinguished fellow and director of Global
the Gripen fighter from Saab or the Rafael which is all but dead because nobody Security at the Centre for International
from France instead of the F35 to replace — not even Republicans — supports it. Governance Innovation.

Clinton campaign

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E
D I P L O M AT I C A | QUESTIONS A s ked

Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, Michael Grant:

‘Our top crisis is violent extremism
in its various forms’
Photo by Jana Chytilova

Michael Grant is one of Canada’s two and I do often. On one level, you’re see-
ambassadors to the United Nations. He ing this kind of society emerge, but there
graduated from Concordia University was no real government structure. [Still,]
in 1992 and joined the foreign service seeing civil society emerge from nothing
in 1994. He’s held several positions was inspiring. Seeing these people who
in Ottawa and was director of the were willing to put their lives on hold to
Middle East division before becom- change their country really was inspiring.
ing ambassador to Libya in 2012, I was there for almost two years. There
while his wife, Heidi Kutz, was was about a year where it was almost op-
serving as ambassador to Portugal. timistic. Everyone was still getting along.
He has also had postings in Serbia, But there were a lot of problems. They
Turkey, Argentina and Mexico. He just had no experience in how to run a
sat down with Diplomat's editor, government, how to be a parliamentar-
Jennifer Campbell, when he was in ian. They were kind of clashing over
Ottawa this winter. job descriptions and when nothing was
done, it allowed that vacuum to grow.
D i p l o m a t m a g a z i n e : Yo u ’ re
posted in New York as ambas- DM: What are your thoughts about Lib-
sador to the UN and deputy ya’s lot now?
permanent representative. How MG: We’re starting to see a little hope. I
is that? think the UN is doing a pretty good job
Michael Grant: We love it. My wife is of trying to bring the parties together. It’s
a head of mission, too, so she’s dep- not easy, but we’re starting to see a little
uty consul general at the consulate bit of light at the end of the tunnel. This
in New York. So it works well — it’s is important. Because of the fact that ISIS
perfect for us. is now camped there, the Libyan people
need to move forward and I think there
DM: There would be very few places is a critical mass of people who want
that you could be posted together. to. Be patient and it’ll come. It deserves
MG: At our level, yeah. Brussels is attention, but that’s tough these days
probably the only other one. when you have so many crises all over
the world.
DM: Geneva?
MG: Yeah, but neither of us is a real trade DM: In your opinion, from your perspec-
expert and the other head of mission tive at the UN, what’s the biggest cause
there is the World Trade Organization, so for concern at the moment ?
that wouldn’t work. We love New York, MG: Clearly Syria. Just the devastation
and our kids love it. We have two boys, that’s occurred because of what the
nine and 11, and New York is kind of like Assad regime has done and now what
Disney World. ISIS has been allowed to do. But it’s really
difficult to say what is the top crisis be-
DM: Where were your children when you cause there are a number. You could say
were posted to Libya? that our top crisis is violent extremism
MG: They were with my wife. She was in its various forms, whether it’s ISIS or
ambassador to Portugal. Libya was an Boko Haram or al-Qaeda or others. But if
unaccompanied post. The security you’re looking for a geographic location,
situation was pretty bad. This was I’d have to say Syria.
right after the revolution [2012.] It
was very interesting, though. We DM: What are the new government’s
can debate Libya for a long time plans for our peacekeeping operations?

26 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 QUESTIONS A s ked |DI PLO M AT I CA

MG: It’s going to take a while. It’s kind

of an exciting time, in a way, for the UN.
Last year, it went through some very
significant reviews. We have a high-level
panel on peace operations [HIPO] — and
that change of name is significant because
it recognizes it’s not just peacekeeping.
It’s not just military on the ground. It’s
very much a comprehensive approach.
If you look at the outcome of that report
as well as the outcome of the report on
the peace-building architecture, and, in
many ways the review of Resolution 1325
on women, peace and security, there are
some real common threads there. One is
the importance of politics. These conflict
situations will only get resolved through
the political process and it’s imperative to
put the UN’s emphasis back on that. As
well, peacekeeping can’t just operate in a
vacuum. It needs to be connected to, first
and foremost, the rest of the UN system,
but also all international actors and civil
society.
These reviews, some of them were
“You could say our top crisis is violent extremism in its various forms.”
mandated, but the HIPO was the secretary
general’s position. It caught everyone off
guard, to be honest. some of those old traditional peacekeepers proper training, discipline, quality con-
I chair the special committee on peace- come back. We’ve seen the Dutch and the trol and use of capabilities and technol-
keeping. It’s something Canada has done Swedes and the Danes and the Brits, the ogy that’s emerged over the last 10 years.
for quite a while and in that body, we Germans as well, get more involved. Col- There aren’t that many countries that can
also were a little bit surprised and saying lectively, now’s the time to do this. offer that entire package. The fact that
‘why now? [Ban Ki-moon] is close to the the UN recognizes the need for reform
end of his mandate. Last year, the UN was DM: Is there a move toward quality is a good sign and we’ve had significant
occupied with the sustainable develop- peacekeeping, instead of quantity, which political leadership, including from the
ment goals (SDG) negotiations, so this lately has meant less-well-trained troops? U.S., with President Barack Obama’s
was surprising. But it didn’t take long MG: That’s the biggest visible difference summit last September, where we had
for everyone, inside the UN and member between what peacekeeping was in the an incredible amount of pledges in terms
states, to realize it’s truly necessary be- past and what it’s becoming. There will of troops and capabilities. There’s been
cause peacekeeping has changed dramati- always be a need for large numbers of a real political momentum behind peace
cally. There is a feeling that the UN needs peacekeepers, but if you’re really going to operations. It’s an exciting time for the
to up its game and we are starting to see improve the quality, you need to ensure UN. There’s still a lot to be done, but the
UN Photo

diplomat and international canada 27

D I P L O M AT I C A | QUESTIONS A s ked

UN recognizes its shortfalls and is now think overall, the Canadian system, re-
working very hard on how it generates gardless of who’s in office, is one of the
its forces, how it plans. Those are oppor- best in the world in terms of the relation-
tunities for countries with the right kind ship between the political level and the
of experience to help the UN. public servants. We have a good, open,
honest relationship. I think also, I and
DM: For Canada, what are your marching other ambassadors and public servants
orders from the new government? felt it was nice to be recognized for the
MG: You, like I, have seen the man- work we do and the choice we’ve made.
date letters and they’re pretty clear that As an ambassador representing Canada
Canada is a country that believes in abroad, it was a real boost. The fact that
multilateralism, that the UN is the core we’re doing this interview is an impor-
institution and it needs to be supported tant sign. It’s a different approach. It
and a key element of that is the UN’s demonstrates confidence and trust.
role when it comes to peace operations
and peacekeeping. What we’re doing DM: So there are two Canadian ambassa-
now is looking at insuring that we have dors to the UN based in New York?
a full understanding of what it is the UN MG: Yes. We have the permanent rep-
needs, seeing where our capabilities lie resentative who has just been named
and then finding a way to match them. — Marc-André Blanchard — and I’m the
I think this will be a proper process. It’ll deputy representative. In New York, it’s
take a little bit of time. fairly common to have at least two. The
We’d be doing a disservice if we take Americans have five, the Russians have
the government direction we have and three.
say ‘OK, let’s deploy to X, Y and Z.’ I
think if we truly believe in helping the UN DM: How do you divide up your respon-
improve the system, we’re going to take Klaus Schwab, director of the World Economic sibilities?
a significant amount of time to discuss in Forum, worries the current refugee crisis may MG: Different missions do it differently.
double or even triple in size.
depth with them and allies to see exactly Under previous ambassador [Guillermo]
what we can offer. And I think in some Rishchynski, we kept a fairly flat orga-
ways, maybe recalibrating some of the broke out in applause when he said nization. We had our areas. The main
things we’ve done. We’ve maintained a ‘It’s 2015.’ I think this is an area where reason you have two is just the volume of
presence in peacekeeping, but our biggest Canada can play a real leadership role. I work and also you always need someone
role right now is police. They’ve done an mentioned earlier the review of Resolu- there at that rank.
incredible job in Haiti and Canada is seen tion 1325, which is an important element. We had our areas of focus. I chair
very much to this day as a leader — if [The resolution reaffirms the role of peacekeeping, I chair a group on Haiti.
not the leader — when it comes to police women in the prevention and resolution When [Rishchynski] was there, he took
peacekeeping. After Afghanistan, it’s not of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace- the lead on future configuration of the
surprising that our numbers dropped. But building, peacekeeping, humanitarian peacebuilding commission on Sierra Le-
with that comes the need to re-teach your response and in post-conflict reconstruc- one as well as Afghanistan and a number
muscles. The reflexes aren’t quite there. tion and stresses the importance of their of others.
We could easily point to certain areas equal participation and full involvement When Marc-André arrives, that will be
where we could be active, but I think the in all efforts for the maintenance and pro- something we’ll look at and see his style
proper thing to do is give it a big think. motion of peace and security.] The other and approach.
is what’s now called Agenda 2030, the
DM: What was it like to be at the UN SDGs, where the role of women and gen- DM: What’s the difference between send-
when Justin Trudeau was elected? der equity was a cross-cutting theme. It’s ing a political appointee to the UN versus
MG: The reaction was quite amazing, to great that they’ve been recognized, but sending a career diplomat?
be honest. As a public servant — and I’ve it’s still going take a lot of work to ensure MG: I think, first and foremost, people
served under multiple governments — full implementation. And I think Canada are picked for a job like that because they
it’s kind of an interesting role when you can really be at the forefront of that. Cer- have the skill set to do it. If you take a
have colleagues come up to you and con- tainly the prime minister has opened up career diplomat, who has spent his career
gratulate you. You sort of half say thank the space for us to play that leadership on diplomatic posts, there is a language
you. The prime minister has certainly had role. So yeah, it was quite something to of diplomacy and it’s learnable. Your skill
an instantaneous international profile get that reaction. And it’s great. set may be heavier on the UN and its
and certainly some of the comments he issues, or it may be heavier on political
made early on — such as the one in re- DM: How, as a Canadian diplomat, did initiatives. I think over time, after the end
World Economic Forum

sponse to what he said about his cabinet you react to the letter Trudeau sent say- of a term, for example, I would expect
— continue to resonate. I was on a panel ing ‘You guys are the experts?’ it’s all been evened out. Going into an as-
[in January] in preparation for the Com- MG: Any time your boss sends you a let- signment, it might be stronger in one area
mission on the Status of Women and the ter that says he has confidence in you, than another and in New York, you’ll see
moderator mentioned it as he was intro- it’s kind of a nice thing. I’ve worked for a mix of political appointees and career
ducing me. And the people in attendance many governments, many ministers and diplomats.

28 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 QUESTIONS A s ked |DI PLO M AT I CA

DM: There are peace talks happening in poverty, but it’s wide-ranging and in-
Geneva on Syria as we speak. Are you cludes proper governance. I think this is
hopeful for a solution? the way to growth. It’s encouraging.
MG: I think we need to support the UN’s
efforts to bring the parties together and I DM: The Liberal government has com-
think we’re seeing strong diplomatic ef- mitted $2.65 billion to climate change.
forts by Americans and others and these What did your UN colleagues think of
need to be explored. The only way we’re that?
going to get out of this crisis is through MG: Canada’s role in Paris resonated in
negotiation. a significant way. It’s a great example
of the kind of role Canada can play as a
DM: The secretary-general got in a bit of leader on substance and a country that
hot water this week after criticizing Israel has an ability to convene, facilitate and
for building settlements in Palestinian bring others along, because we can reach
territories. What is Canada’s current posi- into different corners of the world and
tion on the Israel-Palestine issue? I think our role in helping reach that
MG: Canada believes in a two-state agreement has been a triumph, and rec-
solution. It’s only going to be reached ognized. It was a great signal of what a
through negotiation. country like Canada can do.

DM: Can you share your thoughts on DM: You weren’t there in 2010 when we
Canada reopening its embassy in Iran? lost our Security Council seat. Is that dis-
MG: I think we’re getting a bit off the cussed much?
topic of the UN? MG: Look, we believe in the UN and the
Security Council is one of the core institu-
DM: Has the world forgotten about Haiti? tions. Canada has served on it in the past
Is it still on the UN’s radar? and we will serve on it in future and we
MG: It’s gotten higher in the last few look forward to that time.
weeks, but it’s always been high. The
UN has a very active mission in Haiti, DM: I would think it would change your
one that Canada participates in. We job significantly.
have 80 or 90 police on the ground there. MG: Yes. We work very closely with Aus-
Until recently, we had the top [officer]. tralia and New Zealand all the time and
He just finished his tour. Haiti needs New Zealand is currently on the council
to continue to move in the direction it’s and Australia just came off. I saw how
been moving and that’s political process. the intensity of work really changes.
There have been some speed bumps
recently, but the role of the UN com- DM: What’s the latest thing on which
munity is to get it through this process. you’ve collaborated with New Zealand
We’re hopeful we’ll see a final round of and Australia?
elections and have a new president and MG: We consult and collaborate on just
parliament in place. about everything. We talk to everyone
— whether someone you want to part-
DM: Klaus Schwab at Davos talked about ner with or to understand their views.
the refugee crisis and how he worries That kind of engagement is essential.
that Africans will start moving north, too, Australia, New Zealand and Canada
and the crisis will double and triple in do have similar perspectives and we’re
size. Is the UN doing a good job? stronger together in a lot of UN bod-
MG: I think the UN is doing as good a job ies than we are separately. There was a
as it can in delaying the flows. The UN is statement [earlier this year], which the
a strong partner with Canada in helping Australian ambassador delivered on
us bring 25,000 refugees. Canada stepped behalf of Canada and New Zealand. I
up when the rest of the world seemed to mentioned the peacekeeping commit-
be closing doors — that was appreciated. tee that I chair — within that body, we
But you know, whether it’s the Middle co-ordinate our work so when we make
East or whether it’s Africa, the way to submissions about what we think should
deal with this is really finding solutions be in the report, we do it as Canada, Aus-
at home — proper development, proper tralia and New Zealand. The UN is about
governance. And I think one way that the negotiation and if the three of us can’t
UN is addressing that is through Agenda find common ground, there wouldn’t be
2030 with the sustainable development much hope for others. We try to lead by
goals. It’s a very ambitious agenda, but example in showing that you can partner
it’s achievable. At its core is ending world for a common purpose.

diplomat and international canada 29

 D I P L O M AT I C A | QUESTIONS A s ked

DM: What are the UN’s best projects in and democratic transition continent-wide: stand ready to support the Syrian people
Africa? Would you name three things While there are many challenging situ- in their efforts to secure a future that is
that give you hope for that continent? ations that tend to dominate the agenda peaceful, just, democratic and respectful
MG: In terms of the UN’s work in Africa, of the Security Council as well as main- of the rights of all of its citizens. You will
three distinct roles stand out. The UN’s stream media, there is an increasingly note that Canada has made a significant
peacekeeping efforts in Africa are proba- democratic tradition continent-wide that announcement recently, contributing
bly its most visible presence on the conti- should be acknowledged. Countries [such more than $1.6 billion over the next three
nent and one of the most important roles as] Sierra Leone, which suffered a brutal years towards security, stabilization, hu-
the UN has to play. With nine peacekeep- civil war fewer than two decades ago, are manitarian and development assistance,
ing missions operating in some of the managing this transition to democracy as well as enhanced diplomatic engage-
world’s most challenging environments, very effectively. Canada has been proud ment, in response to the Syrian and Iraqi
the UN continues to be heavily engaged to support this transition as chair of the crises and their impact on the region.
in maintaining peace and security in the Sierra Leone peacebuilding configuration. More broadly, in the last six months we
region. There are elections in Democratic Republic have seen a number of important steps
UN efforts in support of national gov- of Congo, Ghana, Benin and Niger that by the UN to address the conflict in Syria.
ernment development priorities remain will all be important to watch this year. In particular, I would highlight the joint
crucial to achieving the 2030 Agenda. investigative mechanism established by
UN work in Africa can help restore liveli- DM: Where does Responsibility to Protect the Security Council to investigate the use
hoods, build economic opportunity and (R2P) stand in regards to Syria and two of chemical weapons in Syria and assign
support long-term sustainable develop- other top-of-the-mind current crises? blame. This is the first investigation of
ment. Does R2P deserve the often-heard criti- its kind in the midst of a conflict. [Also,]
Three things that offer hope for the cism that it’s just rhetoric? the recent conference in London on the
continent: [First,] the prospects for sus- MG: We continue to support R2P and humanitarian situation in Syria pledged
tainable development in Africa. The 2030 remain committed to working to prevent an unprecedented level of support for the
Agenda reflects a global consensus that and halt genocide, ethnic cleansing, war Syrian people — almost US $11 billion
sustainable development requires efforts crimes and crimes against humanity. in assistance. [Finally,] the International
to address social, economic and environ- Canada is working with the United Na- Syria Support Group and the UN Security
mental issues, as well as to ensure peace, tions, as well as like-minded countries Council were instrumental in reviving a
sound governance and respect for human and civil society to strengthen the com- political process for discussions on a road-
rights and the rule of law. The universal mitment to prevent mass atrocities, map towards resolution of the conflict.
nature of the 2030 Agenda sustainable de- enhance early-warning mechanisms and Much of this is thanks to the leadership
velopment goals is important as it means respond effectively to impending crises. and tireless efforts of UN Special Envoy de
the agenda will be pursued in a new spirit There is great potential in the R2P Pillar Mistura and the secretary general.
of partnership between countries and with II agenda, particularly in the realm of pre- A Syrian-led political transition is the
communities and business. Implementa- vention. Prevention efforts — often imple- only path to a lasting solution that will
tion of the sustainable development goals mented in partnership with states — are relieve the suffering of the Syrian people.
will be challenging, and we are realistic an important component of the concept We hope that the recent outcome of the In-
about these challenges, but support for the and demonstrate its enduring relevance. ternational Syria Support Group meeting
goals shown by many countries in Africa in Munich, with commitments to provide
and elsewhere is encouraging. DM: In January, Syrians heard an address humanitarian assistance and implement a
[Second,] the economic potential of from Staffan de Mistura, the UN special nationwide ceasefire in Syria, will provide
Africa: The potential for economic growth envoy for Syria, vowing that the UN an opportunity for peace talks to continue.
is significant and should not be under- will never abandon them. Do they have While we remain realistic about the
estimated. Countries such as Ethiopia, a right to wonder about the truth of that challenges to come, all three of these initia-
Tanzania, Mozambique and Rwanda are and, if yes, in what way? tives demonstrate the level of resolve and
all projected to experience rapid growth in MG: The situation in Syria remains front focus of the UN and its member states in
the coming years. and centre for Canada as well as the supporting the people of Syria and the
[Finally,] there are prospects of peace
AFO pub-April-May-June 2016-v1.pdf
broader international community. We
1 10/02/2016 5:10:55 PM
re-establishment of peace and stability. D

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diplomat and international canada 31
D I P L O M AT I C A | GOOD DEEDS

Vicki Heyman on the art of American diplomacy

V
icki Heyman is every Ottawa art
lover’s dream. The wife of U.S.
Ambassador Bruce Heyman, she
is a self-appointed cultural envoy and the
life force behind Contemporary Conversa-
tions, a series that has brought some of
the United States’ most interesting and
accomplished artists to the capital.
Marie Watt, Nick Cave, Eric Fischl and
Stephen Wilkes — they’re big names in
American art — each paid Ottawa a visit
in 2015 to give a talk at the National Gal-
lery of Canada’s auditorium and take part
in other relevant events organized around
the visit. Marie Watt, a multimedia artist
of Seneca descent, participated in a public
sewing circle at the gallery on a Saturday
and gave a talk at Carleton University. Eric
Fischl participated in a roundtable discus-
sion at the Canada Council Art Bank and
Stephen Wilkes took part in an interactive
conversation on photography as an agent Artist Marie Watt, right, and Bruce and Vicki Heyman stand with Watt’s blanket sculpture, which has
for change. spent the year at the ambassador’s residence as part of Art in Embassies.
Of equal weight is the lineup for 2016,
which included Kiki Smith, a photogra-
pher, sculptor and textile artist, in March;
and will include Theaster Gates, an instal-
lation artist, in May; and sculptor Anne
Chu in September.
“In 2016, Contemporary Conversations
is back by popular demand,” the ebullient
Vicki Heyman said.
The Art in Embassies program is an
institutionalized program of the State
Department that’s been around since U.S.
president John F. Kennedy. It traditionally
brings American art to embassies around
the world.
“I’ve always loved art,” Heyman said.
“I’ve always seen it as a vehicle for dia-
logue and exchange. I thought it would be
wonderful to bring the art, but more won-
derful to amplify it with the artists’ voice.”
She approached the cultural office at the
embassy to see if it could fund a program
Artist Eric Fischl shows U.S. Ambassador Bruce Heyman his sculpture, Tumbling Woman, which was
expansion that would include Contempo-
inspired by the events of 9/11.
rary Conversations.
Heyman’s vision was to bring the artists
to Canada “to speak about their art and something until it happens,” she said, community leaders, students, professors
Embassy of the United States

cross-border issues of global importance: thinking back to Watt’s talk. “She was the — and not just from Ottawa.
Social impact, social justice, identity and first artist. We had that extraordinary sew- “I do believe that through art and com-
environment. It was the idea of human- ing circle, which brought people together munity, individuals have the power to
izing and building a community of people to create art. After that weekend was over, bring attention to things that are impor-
who respond to art and to use this platform I was like ‘yes’!” tant and the power to change the land-
as a way to talk about what we care about.” After hearing from four artists already, scape in which we live. It’s about dialogue
A community is indeed what it built. the series has brought together an evolv- and hopefully that dialogue leads to some
“You never really know the power of ing community of art lovers, activists, kind of action. That’s my dream.” D

32 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 NOTES FROM THE FIE L D |DI PLO M AT I CA

Canadians building futures for girls and women in

Northern Tanzania
By Mary Lu Beaupré

I
n 1998, two Ottawa women travelled
to Kimoukowa village in the Longido
District of Northern Tanzania to visit
a young girl they were sponsoring. The
women, Jo Marchant and Marian Roks,
marvelled at the beauty of the arid, aca-
cia-dotted landscape and the Maasai peo-
ple who lived their traditional lives there.
Tall, colourfully clad men tended large
herds of livestock while women raised
children and walked long distances to
fetch firewood and water. When the Ca-
nadian travellers visited the local schools,
they realized the young Maasai girls had
no educational opportunities past pri-
mary school. Once girls neared puberty,
they underwent the cultural practice of
female genital mutilation in preparation
for early marriage and early motherhood.
Many Maasai mothers, themselves un-
educated, wanted more choices for their
daughters, but they were too poor to send Tanzanian girls who complete the 10-week PASS program are better prepared for secondary school.
the girls to secondary school. Marchant
and Roks knew they wanted to help. who are already in secondary school to and corporate sponsorship. The money
After speaking with local leaders, attend a three-week summer camp lead by goes directly to support girls’ education,
teachers and residents in the Longido Canadian volunteers and graduates of the women’s literacy, libraries and micro-
District, the women founded a small reg- University of Ottawa’s faculty of educa- financing projects, such as the highly
istered Canadian charity called TEMBO tion. Here, too, the emphasis is on English successful goat project, through which a
(Tanzanian Education and Micro-Business language development. Why the emphasis woman receives a male and female goat
Opportunity). At the heart of TEMBO’s on language? The language of instruction and gives the first offspring to another
mission has always been a commitment in primary school in Tanzania is Swahili, woman. The goats provide milk for her
to foster girls’ and women’s equity in but the language of instruction in second- children and some can be sold as the herd
the villages of Kimoukowa and Longido ary school is English. Maasai secondary expands.
through education and micro-business. students are exceptionally disadvantaged This is a special year for TEMBO as it
Today, TEMBO is a well-recognized and because they know very little English. celebrates its most recent success story:
respected organization in Longido and has What a difference these informal pro- the official opening of the Longido Learn-
many dedicated supporters throughout grams make to the girls’ academic suc- ing Centre. The centre houses classrooms,
Canada. At its helm is a smart, dedicated cess. When girls (ages 12-15) begin, they adult and children’s libraries and employs
board of directors that works closely with are shy, reluctant and very nervous, often local workers who support informal and
local TEMBO staff in Tanzania and raises speaking with their hands covering their formal education programs for the entire
the necessary funds in Canada to support mouths and their eyes downcast. By the community.
its projects. end of the sessions, they are confident, “Because this learning centre belongs to
Since 2007, TEMBO has raised the eager and much better prepared to take on the community in every sense, it has the
money for 205 girls to attend second- the challenges of secondary school. potential to deliver powerful educational
ary school. This year alone, TEMBO is “I first met Riziki in 2011 when she at- programs to people of all ages,” says
sponsoring 82 girls. The girls also re- tended TEC,” recalls educational director TEMBO president Arlene McKechnie, a
ceive informal educational programming and board member Virginia Taylor. “At retired Ottawa lawyer.
designed to boost their language and first, she was very shy and quiet, but al- Though TEMBO is a small organiza-
academic skills. One of these programs, ways attentive and always trying. I recall tion, it continues to have a big impact on
called PASS, runs for 10 weeks every how hard she worked and how focused the lives of girls and women in northern
autumn for 42 girls who are preparing to she was. Like many, she wanted to be a Tanzania.
Project TEMPO

go to secondary school for the first time. doctor and she went after her dream. To-
Canadian volunteer teachers help the girls day, she is studying sciences and she still Mary Lu Beaupré is a volunteer with
with language, math and study skills. A wants to be a doctor.” Ottawa-based TEMBO. Visit
second program, called TEC, invites girls TEMBO raises funds through private projectembo.org for more information.

diplomat and international canada 33

D I P L O M AT I C A | Trade Winds

Bosnia-Canada trade: Plenty of untapped potential

By Koviljka Spiric
Ambassador of Bosnia and
Herzegovina

B
osnia and Herzegovina is a heart-
shaped land. This is not just a
marketing motto or allusion to the
appearance of the country, it is also a hint
of what to expect from the country and
the people who live in it. Mostar, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is one of the most visited places in the world.
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is situ-
ated in the Balkans in the space where The amount of goods exchanged be- generally exempt from customs duties.
the winds blow from the East and West, tween BiH and Canada is lower than Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a coun-
where civilizations encountered each it should be, although it does give us a try whose size meets the requirements
other and made important decisions. No chance to think about which direction of big investors, but its advantage is its
matter how far back in time we go, there to take in the future. In 2015, Bosnia and geographical location, which allows it
is no lack of significant events, places and Herzegovina exported various types of to be a regional centre that would allow
people in the nation’s history. lightweight tools and raw materials (di- Canadian investors to expand and service
Today, the fragments of this dynamic sodium carbonate) and modern furniture other markets in the region. Companies
history can be seen at every step — from the made of wood, with a total value of more doing business in Bosnia and Herzegovina
diverse customs and culture to the rich Bal- than $9 million. have free access to the market of southeast
kan, Oriental and Mediterranean cuisine. Canada exported tools (flywheels and Europe through the CEFTA, as well as
As a country, Bosnia and Herzegovina pulleys), chainsaw blades, equipment Turkey, a market with 100 million inhab-
has passed the initial and most difficult and machinery parts, beans and cloth- itants, with which BiH has a free-trade
part of its transition to a market economy. ing worth more than $10 million to BiH. agreement.
The doors are wide open to investors, BiH wishes to enhance co-operation with BiH saw impressive growth in tourism
especially in the sectors of tourism, agri- Canada through increased expansion last year, with visits jumping 28.2 percent.
culture, energy and infrastructure. Further, and sales of healthy and “ethnic” foods, The World Tourism Organization (UN-
there are opportunities in renewable en- high-quality wines and stronger exports of WTO) has placed Bosnia and Herzegovina
ergy through construction of mini-power wooden furniture. among the top 10 countries exhibiting
plants. There is also huge potential for The Agency for Foreign Investment dynamic growth.
hydro-electric projects. BiH also requires Promotion in Bosnia and Herzegovina has The country’s many attractions make
infrastructure in the form of a network of more than 200 projects that are ready for it difficult to sort out what has led to the
highways, which is another opportunity implementation. increase. Is it the towns with diverse mul-
for investors from Canada. In 2016, there will be planned privati- ticultural offerings, the beautiful Olympic
Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina

In 2015, Bosnia and Herzegovina ex- zation of nearly 50 companies. Potential mountains, the healing spas with medici-
ported goods and services around the investors will be offered a chance to buy nal mineral water or the Mediterranean
world worth $7.16 billion, which is a Aluminium Mostar, a government-owned landscape of the short, but beautiful coast
3.5-percent increase from the previous producer of aluminum, and the Sarajevo of the Adriatic Sea? Whatever the case
year, while imports were $12.63 billion, Tobacco Factory, as well as some other may be, tourism will be a generator of de-
2.1 percent less than the previous year. companies. Investors should be aware that velopment in the years to come.
Despite positive trends and expected GDP conditions of purchasing property in BiH
growth of 3.2 percent in 2015, it is clear a are the same for foreign and domestic indi- Koviljka Spiric is ambassador of Bosnia
long recovery period awaits my country’s viduals, and that both have the same own- and Herzegovina. Reach her at info@
economy. ership rights. Foreign investors are also bhembassy.com or 613-236-0028 ext. 5.

34 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 trade winds |DI PLO M AT I CA

Costa Rica: A natural paradise for business growth

for medical procedures per year. Our

hospitals and clinics possess the required
international accreditations and this has
resulted in a new high-quality medical
service industry. Meanwhile, the Global
Tourism Monitor Survey named Costa
Rica the most recommended tourism
destination in the world from amongst 65
assessed countries.
Last year alone, we hosted more than
2.5 million visitors, the second largest
By Roberto Dormond-Cantu group of which were Canadians. We have
Ambassador of Costa Rica direct flights from Montreal, Toronto and
Calgary. Costa Rica is a destination of

C
osta Rica, my country, has big choice for its quality, infrastructure, safety
dreams and aspirations for the and certainly for our biggest assets — our
well-being of fellow Costa Ricans friendly, educated people and our unique
and humankind. Our well-being has been model of sustainable tourism. The latter
possible because we live in the oldest de- attracts a responsible tourist who de-
mocracy in Latin America and, like Can- mands excellent service and unique natu-
ada, we are a nation committed to peace, ral beauty. Costa Rica offers both.
education, health, solidarity and the Summa magazine called Costa Rica the
promotion and defence of human rights most popular destination in the world
San Jose, pictured here, is Latin America’s hub for adventure tourism and the most eco-
and the environment. Like Canada, we
for companies looking to outsource.
are a country open to the world, with an friendly destination in the Americas.
enormous population of migrants living Besides all the happy Canadians who
among us. Like Canada, we are commit- companies in the life-sciences sector. We visit every year, between 15,000 and 20,000
ted to further developing our economy have been champions in clinical research Canadians live among us.
within sustainable business practices. and recently enacted legislation that will It is no wonder hundreds of businesses
Bilingualism is of key importance to cement our leading position in this sec- have established bases in Costa Rica: Sco-
Costa Rica. In Latin America, we are the tor. In 2014, the World Bank determined tiabank, Four Seasons, the Konrad Group
country that uses English-language skills that Costa Rica is the biggest high-tech and Gildan Activewear Inc., to name a few
most in the workplace and we are its top exporter of industrial products in Latin Canadian corporations. Amazon, Hewlett-
country in English proficiency in an aca- America (as a percentage of manufactured Packard, IBM, Mondelez International
demic setting. exports). And again, the World Economic Inc., Bacardi, Bosch, Abbott, Boston Sci-
Thanks to a highly talented and edu- Forum gave us first place in quality of la- entific, VMware and Citi are some of the
cated population, Costa Rica has been bour relations (co-operation between em- hundreds of companies that have invested
able to create a diversified and robust ployer and employee) in Latin America, as in our country and employ members
economy. Only 40 years ago, our economy well as first place in innovation and busi- of the talented and reliable Costa Rican
relied heavily on agricultural products, ness sophistication in 2014-2015. San Jose, workforce.
which remain extremely important for our our capital, is ranked as Latin America's Costa Rica has created the legal frame-
country and our culture. We still produce pre-eminent location for companies look- work for a very open economy by entering
and export the best coffee in the world. We ing to outsource, according to Tholons, a into free-trade agreements, which give us
are the No. 1 exporter of pineapple and strategic advisory firm. access to 57 countries, 2.5 billion people
other agricultural products, which delight The future is also bright. The Financial and 66 percent of the world´s GDP. Costa
© Mihai-bogdan Lazar | Dreamstime.com

Canadians and international consumers Times’ foreign direct investment (FDI) Rica also provides a comprehensive tax
and are produced in compliance with sus- intelligence report in 2013 stated that we holiday to those investing in strategic
tainable production practices. will be the No. 1 country for future FDI areas.
That said, we have actively trans- in Central America and the Caribbean. As We are working hard in collaboration
formed our economy into one based on you can see, now is the time to continue with different Canadian stakeholders to
knowledge. fostering business development and op- continue promoting business develop-
International services, software devel- portunities between our nations. We as- ment between our nations.
opment, advanced light manufacturing pire to engage in value chains with more
and audiovisual production are booming. Canadian enterprises. Roberto Dormond-Cantu is ambassador
In 2015, medical devices became our main Medical travel has been on the rise. of Costa Rica to Canada. Reach him at
export. We host more than 75 international We receive approximately 50,000 visits [email protected] or 613-562-2855.

diplomat and international canada 35

D I P L O M AT I C A | Trade Winds

Enhancing Pakistan-Canada trade ties

the total area of Pakistan. Major business

centres such as Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot
and Karachi are peaceful. Four direct
flights operate from Pakistan to Canada
each week. About 500,000 hard-working
Pakistani diaspora are contributing to
Canada’s economy and society.
The recent rise in the number of Ca-
nadian business people working with
Pakistan is encouraging. Canada’s SNC-
Lavalin, AECOM, Hatch, Group RSW,
By Tariq Azim Khan AXOR, International Sovereign Energy
High Commissioner for Pakistan Gawadar is Pakistan’s deep-sea port. and Enerflex have contributed to devel-
opment projects in Pakistan. Likewise,

P
akistan is emerging as a trading Afghanistan and U.A.E. Pakistan’s five Pakistani business people attend the SIAL
nation, in part because of its loca- leading import partners last year included Food and Construct Canada exhibitions in
tion at the crossroads of South China, the EU, U.A.E., Saudi Arabia and Canada.
Asia, China, Central Asia, West Asia and Kuwait. Oil rigs and mining equipment are
the Indian Ocean. With its liberal pro-in- Pakistan and Canada traditionally needed to exploit Pakistan’s vast natural
vestment policies, Pakistan has a rapidly enjoy friendly relations and close co-op- resources. Canada could make profitable
growing economy with a highly skilled eration in development, people-to-people investment in the oil, gas and miner-
and moderately priced workforce. “Trade contacts and regional security. However, als exploration, information technology,
not aid” has been the mantra of Prime our economic ties have yet to reach their infrastructure, power generation, agro-
Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government. potential. According to Statistics Canada, business and science and technology sec-
Pakistan’s economy has shown re- bilateral merchandise trade alone, exclud- tors. Canadian investment in Pakistan is
silience, with 5.7 percent GDP growth ing trade in services, topped the $1 billion a meagre $20 million. Canadian business
for 2015, according to The Economist in mark in 2015, a 49-percent increase from can also benefit from Pakistan’s IT-enabled
January 2016. Based on a strong structural 2014. Pakistan’s exports were valued at services in animation and gaming, retail
reforms program, the GDP is projected to more than $350 million and Canadian ex- banking and finance, mobile content,
reach six-percent-plus growth in the com- ports totalled $690 million. document management and call centres.
ing years. The country is deepening its Pakistan’s exports to Canada were A number of multinationals have estab-
economic ties with partner states from the textiles, leather goods, vegetable prod- lished themselves in Pakistan because it’s
Pacific to the Atlantic. A well-regulated ucts, plastic products, garments, carpets, a competitive offshore destination in cost
banking system, independent judiciary surgical goods, sports gear, food products, and quality.
and IT-enabled economy have been in- base metals, medical equipment, pearls, A Pakistan-Canada joint working group
strumental in helping foreigners do busi- gemstones and jewelry, mineral products, (JWG) to enhance bilateral co-operation in
ness in Pakistan and in attracting foreign head and footwear and ceramic products. economic relations was established in
investment to the world’s seventh most Pakistan’s imports from Canada were veg- 2008. The high commission is working on
populous market, with approximately etable products (colza seeds, also known organizing the next round of JWG meet-
200 million consumers. Pakistan’s invest- as rapeseed, soya beans, chickpeas and ings. We are also vigorously pursuing a
ment policy 2013 offers equal treatment lentils), mechanical and electrical equip- bilateral draft promotion and mutual pro-
to local and foreign investors. Its special ment, wood products, chemical or allied tection of investment agreement.
economic zones have a tax holiday for 10 industries’ products and transport equip- The high commission and Pakistan’s
years, duty-free imports of capital goods ment. consulates in Toronto, Montreal and
and allow captive power generation (a Pakistan’s exporters are faced with Vancouver are focused on enhancing
power plant that provides localized en- cumbersome visa formalities for attend- bilateral trade and investment, flow of
ergy to its user rather than to a general ing trade fairs in Canada. Similarly, travel technology and institutional linkages and
grid.) advisories discourage Canadian business- would be happy to answer your business
Branded textiles, world-renowned people from visiting Pakistan. The Cana- queries. Greater awareness is being cre-
Basmati rice, Pakistani mangoes, surgi- dian authorities have been approached to ated about Pakistan’s export products, its
cal equipment, carpets, leather, sporting revisit the travel advisory and business major trade fairs and lucrative investment
goods and footballs used in the World visa regime to facilitate deeper bilateral opportunities.
Cup, are just a few of Pakistan’s famous economic engagement between the pri-
exports. vate sectors of both countries. The bor- Tariq Azim Khan is Pakistan’s high
Edgar Jiménez

The top five export destinations in 2015 dering region with Afghanistan, where commissioner. Reach him at
for Pakistani goods and services were operations against terrorists are taking [email protected] or call 613-
the European Union (EU), U.S., China, place, makes up only four to six percent of 238-7881.

36 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

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diplomat and international canada 37
D I P L O M AT I C A | di plomatic agenda

Turkey needs the international community’s help

north because of sible, in urban areas. In such an environ-

FIRST NAME
: Selçuk the DAESH [IS] ment, the government recently adopted
terror organiza- legislation that allows work permits to
LAST NAME:
Ünal Syrians.
tion. We continu-
HI P: Tu rk is h o u s l y d e l i v e r Turkey does not need help for itself; it is
CITIZENS
S AS humanitarian the Syrians who need help. Despite all of
EDENTIAL
PRESENTED CR
14 a s s i s t a n c e t o its challenges, Turkey continues its open-
OR : Oct. 2, 20 s u s t a i n t h o s e door policy without any religious and
AMBASSAD
gs : Q at ar, camps in Syria ethnic discrimination towards those escap-
previous Postin
en ev a, N ew York and Iraq. ing from the brutality of the Syrian regime
Ireland, G T h e f i g - and terror organizations. As a responsible
ures speak for member of the international community,
themselves. we will continue to help them, with or
This situation without the help of the world.
is not sustainable. Unfortunately, global response has
Having provided a haven for those es- failed. The international community fi-

T
he world i s w it nessi ng one of caping persecution throughout centuries nally realized the seriousness of this crisis
the biggest refugee crises since — Holocaust victims are but one example only when the body of Alan Kurdi washed
the Second World War and Turkey — Turkey has mobilized its resources ashore on the Aegean coast, and thou-
stands at the centre of it. Half of Syria’s and shared its national capabilities since sands of hopeless refugees knocked on
population, approximately 12 million Day 1. We have already spent more their doors. Alan was not, and is not, the
people, are displaced; and almost half of than US $10 billion, while assistance pro- only child who has died while trying to
them seek refuge in neighbouring coun- vided by the international community reach another country. The number of
tries such as mine. amounts to only US $455 million. Syrians those who attempt dangerous journeys
Turkey did not stay indifferent to the in Turkey are provided with food, non- — the prey of human smugglers — across
humanitarian tragedies taking place at its food items, health care, educational ser- the Mediterranean to European shores is
borders. It is hosting more than 2.7 mil- vices, psychological support, vocational dramatically rising. It is because they are
lion Syrians and 300,000 Iraqis. That is the training and social activities in temporary losing hope.
highest number of people hosted by a sin- protection centres and, as much as pos- On the subject of dangerous journeys
gle country in the world today. 
As of March 2016, 282,815 Syrians
and 12,000 Iraqis are being housed in 25
protection centres. The rest, who live out-
side the camps, are also under Tur-
key’s temporary protection regime. So
far, 151,746 Syrian babies have been born
in Turkey. An average of 110 babies are
born every day in protection centres alone.
More than 11 million medical consulta-
tions and 320,000 surgical operations have
been carried out for Syrians in Turkish
hospitals. The average number of daily
admission applications to health centres
is approximately 10,000. There are nearly
600,000 school-age Syrian children in Tur-
key. Unfortunately, just 250,000 of them
are receiving an education. Efforts are
continuing to link the rest to the Turkish
education system. 
Our aid to Syria and Iraq is not limited
to the assistance activities in Turkey, but
also extends beyond our borders. In
Caroline Gluck/EU/ECHO

addition to taking supplies to the bor-

der so Syrians can take them into the
country and provide for those living
in IDP camps on the Syrian side of the bor-
der, Turkey has established three camps in
northern Iraq for civilians who fled to the A Syrian girl waits next to relief help at Suruc City, Turkey.

38 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 di plomatic agenda |DI PLO M AT I CA

across the Aegean Sea, the Turkish Coast Turkey suggested some proposals for bur-
Guard initiated enhanced operations and den sharing and they are being discussed
allocated more national resources to save with the hope of finalization at the earliest
more lives at sea. In 2015, the number of opportunity.
people rescued increased fivefold com- Canada is playing a commendable role
pared to 2014. The Turkish Coast Guard in responding to this crisis. The first plane
rescued more than 70,000 migrants at sea carrying Syrian refugees from Turkey
and apprehended hundreds of smugglers landed in Canada in January. We have to
in 2015. The number of migrants appre- help everybody without discrimination.
hended while attempting to cross Turk- The current humanitarian efforts can
ish territory between 2005 and 2015, has only temporarily mitigate the effects of
topped a half million. this crisis in the short and medium term.
The world should help Syria’s neigh- A sustainable and long-term solution to
bours help Syria, as should the UN. the refugee problem can only be attained
Proper funding for the implementation of if the root causes of the Syrian conflict
the UN’s “no lost generation strategy” is are solved. Without a negotiated political
essential to save future generations. solution, this tragedy will only continue to
A n E U - Tu r k e y a c t i o n p l a n w a s cause massive waves of migration. As you
agreed to at the EU-Turkey summit in No- read this, thousands of Syrians of Arab
vember 2015. In line with this plan, Tur- and Turkmen origin are entering Turkey
key has introduced visa requirements UNHCR workers serve lunch to refugees in the due to the deteriorating situation in north-
for Syrian nationals coming from third Akcakale camp in southern Turkey. ern Syria.
countries. And, as a part of the action Turkey has been supporting peace talks
plan, the EU decided to increase its co- representative of the EU for foreign affairs in Geneva and is hopeful for a resolu-
ordination with Turkey for joint efforts and security policy, and Johannes Hahn, tion. But while being hopeful, we have
vis-à-vis this humanitarian crisis, and commissioner for European neighbour- to remember one thing: There is nothing
pledged three billion euros to support hood policy and enlargement. At the stronger than a mother ’s wish to save
projects that would improve the living Turkey-EU Summit held on March 7, 2016, her child from a certain death. We, all the
conditions of Syrians in Turkey. This the progress made in the implementation responsible members of the international
promise was confirmed during the Janu- of the Joint Action Plan regarding illegal community, must help that child to save
ary visit of Federica Mogherini, high migration was welcomed by all parties. our joint future. D

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diplomat and international canada 39

D I spatches | 2016

Two destroyed tanks sit in front of a mosque

in Azaz, Syria, after a battle between the
Free Syrian Army and the Syrian government.

40 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 2016 |Di s patche s

2016: A year
worthy of worry
Terrorism, economic uncertainty, political instability, climate change, refugee crises — this year is full of
global concerns and not many solutions.

By Laura Neilson Bonikowsky

A
s a year of grave concerns, multilateral diplomacy. Among its stated 1. Islamic State
2016 is giving us plenty to priorities is reinforcing Canada’s relation- The jihadist Islamic State (also known
think about. Terrorism, ship with the U.S. Canada’s development as ISIS, ISIL and DAESH), is at war with
war, economic and politi- assistance since 2010 has been 0.34 percent the world. Its insane goal is to realize the
cal instability, refugees, of the country’s gross national income, prediction of Prophet Mohammed that
climate change, unem- well below the 0.7 percent target set in Dabiq, Syria, would be the final battle-
ployment, rising food costs — the selection 1969 by a United Nations expert commis- ground where Islam and Rome would
is vast, the problems complex. How much sion headed by former prime minister fight before the end of time and Islam
they concern you also depends on how Lester B. Pearson. Clearly, Canada is not would triumph. IS took advantage of the
confident you are in the abilities of national among the top tier of players on the world premature withdrawal of the U.S. from
leaders to address them (another matter of stage; therefore, many of our international Iraq to rise up in Iraq, then Syria. IS leader
concern). activities will be directed by other nations’ Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (also known as Al-
A country’s global position has tradi- interests, especially those of the U.S. Khalifah Ibrahim) has forces murdering
tionally been assessed by its economy, Much has been written about the big- and plundering to expand his caliphate.
military, diplomacy and development gest threats to global and national well- The violence is calculated to subjugate the
assistance. The Canadian economy is being; defining only 10 among so many world under Sharia law, instil terror and
approximately the 16th largest in the is difficult. This list is based on informa- draw the West into that final battle.
world. Our military is the 80th largest tion and opinions from multiple sources, While the goal is mad, IS is sophisti-
and Canada now ranks 51st in the world including Pew Research, the Council on cated and well-funded by oil and gas, tax-
among peacekeeping nations. Diplomacy Foreign Relations and the Brookings Insti- ation on economic activities, confiscation
is handled by Global Affairs Canada, tution, all nonpartisan think-tanks; Statis- of property — including captured U.S.
Christiaan Triebert

formerly Foreign Affairs, Trade and De- tics Canada; security agencies (CSIS, the tanks, vehicles and armaments — traf-
velopment, whose role in recent years has CIA); international newspapers, blogs and ficking in drugs and antiquities, criminal
become more about co-ordinating central academics. The list is subjective, of course, activity and state-run businesses. It uses
agencies with roles in different policy and readers will have their own list, or a social media to recruit the disenfran-
areas than about maintaining effective different descending order. chised, the angry and the naïve.

diplomat and international canada 41

Di spatche s | 2016

Conventional wisdom says defeating IS

requires taking its territory. In September
2014, IS controlled roughly 210,000 square
kilometres of the Tigris-Euphrates river
basin, which was reduced by 30 percent
a year later by the U.S.-led coalition. IS
has been pushed out of several cities and
in Syria faces President Bashar al-Assad’s
army as well as rebel groups and airstrikes
by the coalition and Russia. But IS losses
in Iraq and Syria could be made up in
other areas where marginalized youth
with little money or opportunity are prey
to recruitment.
The group is successful at recruiting
from outside. CSIS says today’s genera-
tion of foreign fighters represents “a clear
and present danger” to the West. Recall
that foreign fighters have figured in al-
Qaeda and in Afghanistan since the 1980s. Seven people were killed and 40 injured in this attack against Israeli civilians on their way to Eilat, a
popular tourist destination. Battles between Israelis and Palestinians continue.
Security agencies are working, sometimes
successfully, to prevent radicalization and
identify recruiting efforts, but it’s slow ongoing war. Middle Eastern geopolitical The war spilled into neighbouring states,
work. Current estimates put the number interests and partnerships have impelled drawing outside intervention, particularly
of armed foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq wars over land, religion, oil and other due to IS expansion from Iraq into Syria.
at close to 30,000, Canadians among them. resources, colonialism and access to Asia, IS has captured Syrian territory, commit-
Canada’s role in the fight against IS has spawned by greed, corruption, revenge ted atrocities against Shiites, Christians
included six CF-18s based in Kuwait. In and sheer hatred. Current disputes in- and Sunnis, and beheaded captives.
February, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau clude the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Syr- Outside involvement has increased: Rus-
controversially ordered the withdrawal of ian war, Sunni-Shiite divide and Saudi sia deployed 2,000 troops, fighter jets,
the fighter aircraft a month early in favour Arabia’s conflicts with Iran and Yemen. helicopters and surface-to-air missiles;
of tripling the training and assistance mis- France expanded its airstrikes after attacks
sion in northern Iraq, as NATO requested Israeli/Palestinian conflict in Paris; Britain launched an air campaign;
in December. It is a role Canada fulfilled This dispute has biblical origins, but and the U.S. deployed 50 Special Ops
until the U.S. withdrew in 2011. It is riskier comes down to a fight over territory that forces to join Kurdish forces. Diplomacy
work and will put more Canadian troops was known until 1948 as Palestine, the and the Geneva II peace process have
in harm’s way. name used by three monotheistic religions not resolved the conflict. Concerns now
This could be a significant year for to describe, without defining boundaries, include military escalation, expansion of
IS; 2016 is the 100th anniversary of the a “Holy Land.” After the 1948 Arab-Israeli extremist groups in Syria, and most sig-
Asia Minor Agreement (Sykes-Picot war, the Holy Land was divided into the nificant, further displacement of Syrian
Agreement), which shaped the modern State of Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza nationals.
Middle East and which IS invokes in its Strip. Successive wars shifted borders, and
propaganda. The architects of the agree- peace treaties and ceasefires failed — vio- Sunni/Shia divide
ment — Britain and France, with Russian lent action yielding violent counter-action. An ancient religious division between
assent — could become greater targets The Palestinian uprisings in 1987 and Sunni and Shiite Muslims foments the
and we could see movement away from 2000 involved escalating attacks. In Au- resurrection of conflicts in the Middle East
the caliphate structure to post-colonial re- gust 2014, violating a cease-fire, Hamas and Muslim countries. Clashes between
venge, says Ray Boisvert, former assistant fired nearly 3,000 rockets at Israel, which Sunni and Shiite forces have contrib-
director of CSIS. retaliated with airstrikes. A ceasefire ended uted to the Syrian civil war, encouraged
The pressures bearing down on IS are the skirmish, but violence erupted in Sep- violence in Iraq, worsened tension in Gulf
significant, and must continue to be ap- tember 2015, despite ongoing peace talks. countries and revived jihadi networks
plied. Russia will be the game-changer. The Palestinian leadership announced it outside the region. Saudi Arabia (Sunni)
While insurgency typically runs down as would no longer adhere to the 1993 Oslo and Iran (Shiite) are using the division to
its players lose their enthusiasm, IS faces Accords struck between the government of further their own ambitions. Although
an existential threat against which it can Israel and the PLO. Today’s concern is the they are facets of Islam and agree on a
be expected to fight to the bitter end. potential for a third intifada. monotheistic God with Mohammed as his
messenger, Sunni and Shiite differ in their
War in Syria rituals and interpretation of Islam. Nei-
2. Middle East conflict In 2011, protests against President Bashar ther side can view the other with grace or
When has this part of the world not been al-Assad escalated into war between objectivity. Of greatest concern are rising
Ariel Hermoni

in conflict? Marco Polo wrote in 1271 that the Syrian government (backed by Rus- militancy, rivalry between Saudi Arabia
he intended to travel through Syria and sia, Iran, Lebanese Shiite Muslims and and Iran, fractured states within the region
Iraq, but changed his route due to their Hezbollah) and anti-government rebels. and humanitarian crises.

42 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 2016 |Di s patche s

Saudi Arabia vs Iran and Yemen

Saudi Arabia is dealing with the conse-
quences of several problems: oil prices too
low to maintain its economy, an expensive
war in Yemen and escalating conflict with
Iran.
Saudi Arabia’s decision to glut the mar-
ket to lower oil prices has put the king-
dom’s economy at the edge of collapse.
The International Monetary Fund says the
country cannot balance its budget if oil is
below $106 a barrel.
In Yemen, political instability, outside
interference and backlash against U.S.
counterterrorism have increased violence.
Insurgent Houthis, Shiite rebels with links
to Iran, routed Yemen’s Sunni government
in January 2015. Saudi-led intervention
threatens to draw Yemen into the Sunni-
Shia divide. The political turmoil has
allowed al-Qaeda, IS and other terrorist
groups to operate freely.
Escalating rivalry between Saudi Ara-
bia and Iran has caused bloodshed across Syrian refugees in Macedonia: The war in Syria has displaced close to 11 million people.
the Islamic world. On Jan. 2, 2016, Saudi
Arabia beheaded 43 Sunni terrorists and mental — how do you find accommoda- to Daniel Byman, of Brookings. While our
four Shiite dissidents, among them re- tions and services for thousands at once? intentions are good, we don’t really know
spected Shiite cleric Nimr Biqr al-Nimr, a Although the world has pledged US $10 what we face. This crisis is unlike others
decision sure to generate anger in Iran and billion to support Syrian refugees, homes, we’ve met. During the Cold War, Canada
Shiite communities around the world. The schools and jobs can’t be created over- accepted refugees fleeing the Commu-
Saudi-Iranian crisis has spread to African night. nist ideology they opposed; they wanted
and Arab nations, some of which have Security concerns are high, as well; IS to embrace western values. The Syrian
taken diplomatic actions against Iran, has said it will infiltrate refugee groups refugees find themselves in a strange place
while Egypt and Turkey have sided with and has 4,000 fighters standing by. Prop- that they may not have chosen, where ev-
the Saudis. Of concern are further Middle erly vetting incoming refugees who have erything is unfamiliar, and where gender
Eastern destabilization and opportunities no identification seems impossible and equality and sexual liberty may be of-
for terrorist organizations to expand. has provided opportunities for IS and mi- fensive. Addressing their trauma requires
At stake for the world is the pressure to grants from several countries to take ad- more than a roof and new clothes, and will
respond and the prolonged human effects vantage of the Syrian crisis. Security fears take time.
in the Middle East. Human rights abuses, have been borne out by Bulgarian police The risk in rushing is that we won’t
especially in Saudi Arabia, are having a officials’ discovery of 10,000 fake Syrian do it right and people will suffer more,
humanitarian impact the world must ad- passports and reports from Germany’s and that the refugees will be welcomed
dress. intelligence agency that IS fighters have out of sympathy, but later be scorned or
entered Europe disguised as refugees. repressed. Canada has a moral obligation
John McCallum, Canada’s immigration as a global citizen to assist refugees, but it
3. Syrian refugee crisis minister, says this concern does not apply must be done intelligently, not emotion-
The Syrian war has killed more than to Canada because Canada is accepting ally.
250,000 people and displaced close to 11 only refugees who have already been vet-
million. Refugees have been fleeing their ted by the UN and is not accepting single For IMF data on the crisis, and Davos boss
homes since 2011, scattering to neighbour- males travelling alone, who are more Klaus Schwab's concern about another,
ing countries and to Europe. Many are likely to have been radicalized. bigger migration, see page 47.
stuck in camps, hoping for a way out. Canada has been receiving Syrian
Peace talks have failed — refugees who refugees since 2011, but in 2015 rushed
hope to go home when the war ends will to admit 25,000 more to meet an election
have a long wait. campaign promise. In mid-February 2016, 4. The Canadian economy
The initial wave of people was wel- when only 15,700 had arrived out of the The Dutch Bureau for Economic Policy
comed in Europe, but the wave became a total to be received before March, hun- Analysis reports that the long-term aver-
tsunami, and more than a million refugees dreds awaited housing, with cities asking age growth rate for world trade has been
arrived in 2015. It became an emotional for the process to be slowed to allow them five percent, but in 2014 it was 3.3 percent,
and divisive matter as governments be- to find the proper support. 2.7 percent in 2013, and 2.1 percent in
Dragan Tatic

came concerned about the difficulties and This crisis is not a short-term matter of 2012. Canada’s real GDP growth in 2015’s
cost — roughly US $35,000 per adult. providing humanitarian aid; it is a long- third quarter was 0.6 percent, with slower
The practical considerations are monu- term challenge for integration, according growth in the fourth.

diplomat and international canada 43

Di spatche s | 2016

Energy, gold and mining stocks have The effects of climate change are vis-
declined and the falling loonie has raised ible in rising global temperatures, rising
food prices. The country is caught in what sea levels and warming oceans, retreating
the Canadian Centre for Policy Alterna- glaciers and declining Arctic sea ice and
tives calls a “staples trap” in which our extreme events such as storms, floods and
economy relies too much on Alberta’s oil- drought. Greenhouse gases are to blame,
sands, invests too much in one sector and says NASA, evident in the heat-trapping
becomes less diversified. aura of carbon dioxide, methane and ni-
Canada is one of the few countries to trous oxide that surrounds Earth.
have reduced oil production, deepen- The Intergovernmental Panel on Cli-
ing the impact on oil-producing Alberta, mate Change, a group of 1,300 indepen-
Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and dent scientific experts under the auspices
Labrador. Lower oil revenues led Prime of the United Nations, has concluded
Minister Justin Trudeau in January to con- that there is a more-than-90-percent prob-
sider a stimulus plan focused on Alberta ability that human activities over the past
and Saskatchewan. Economists dithered, 250 years have warmed our planet, and
agreeing and disagreeing with the PM, that globally, economic and population
the finance minister and one another. The growth are the most significant drivers of
The Canadian economy has been slumping,
showing diminishing growth over the last year
government didn’t hasten to the rescue; increased carbon dioxide emissions.
in February, Trudeau announced funding In most western nations, political ideol-
that had been promised in 2014 would be ogy reflects how concerned we are, with a
Household debt is at its highest in 25 delivered “within months.” The outlook larger percentage of people on the left con-
years and Canada’s debt over the past 15 appears grim. cerned about climate change. For example,
years has increased more than any other in the U.S., 62 percent of Democrats report
G7 country. Statistics Canada reports being “very concerned” while only 20
19,600 jobs lost in Canada in 2015, most 5. Climate change percent of Republicans say the same. That
in Alberta. The situation has worsened, You might think climate change would be difference of opinion stops us from hav-
Alberta's unemployment rose to 7.9 per- at the top of this list, given its catastrophic ing meaningful conversations about what
cent in mid-March 2016, surpassing the implications, but the topics above keep us it would mean to be kinder to the Earth,
national rate of 7.2 percent. from focusing on the issue. A 2015 Pew Re- regardless of our views on climate change.
Along with Saudi Arabia lowering search survey revealed that in Europe, the Climate change deniers and doubters
oil prices, China’s slowing economy has U.S. and the Middle East, concern about suggest that Earth has natural cycles of
reduced the demand for commodities. the climate is surpassed by fear of IS. warming and cooling and humans are too
insignificant to have such an impact. Well,
maybe. But what would be the harm in
reducing greenhouse gases and garbage,
making the world more pleasant and miti-
gating our impact, however small, on the
only planet we have?

6. China’s slowing economy

China has the second-largest economy in
the world. Even though it is experiencing
its slowest rate of growth in 25 years, it is
still among the fastest-growing economies
globally. In 2013, when China’s annual
10-percent growth rate threatened to
become a bubble, the government’s eco-
nomic reform measures slowed growth to
seven percent. Even though China gener-
© Perry Toone | Dreamstime.com / UN photo

ated more than a third of global GDP in

2015, commodity exports declined and
personal income and business revenues
grew more slowly than usual. Since 2012,
the service sector has done better than
manufacturing and is supporting China’s
modest growth.
Before this slowdown, China’s vora-
cious appetite for commodities kept
prices up for oil, potash, nickel and other
resources that Canada produces. Reduced
Paris reaffirmed in December the goal to keep global warming to below 2C. demand has reversed commodity prices,

44 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 2016 |Di s patche s

From a western perspective, Russia’s newed Chechen insurgency among the

aggression against Ukraine is part of a Caucasus’ Muslim population, or more
broader confrontation with the West in attacks across Russia, such as the 2015
which Putin is depending on time and bombing of a Russian airliner by an IS-
endurance to deliver Ukraine’s collapse to affiliated group. Russia has fought two
protect Russian sovereignty and its access Chechen wars to curb separatism and
to the Black Sea coast in Crimea, where the Islamic threat, resulting ultimately in
the Black Sea Fleet is harboured (Russia Chechnya’s identity being superseded by
has a lease at Sevastopol until 2040). At an Islamic one. Chechnya’s leader is for-
least these are logical reasons for Russia mer militant Ramzan Kadyrov, appointed
to want Ukraine to capitulate; what Putin by Putin in 2011; he is Putin’s key ally in
really wants seems open to interpretation Chechnya and similarly pugnacious, vola-
and experts disagree on his intentions. tile and an ultra-Russian nationalist.
Almost 25 years after the collapse of The global nature of terrorist organiza-
the Soviet Union, the threat from the East tions, Russia’s proximity to NATO mem-
is the greatest it’s ever been, according bers, and Russians’ enthusiastic support
to The Economist, and is compounded by of their capricious leader make Russia’s
the weak American response to Russian problems a concern to the world.           
aggression in Crimea. In the past, the Po-
China is experiencing its slowest rate of growth litburo put limitations on Soviet leaders,
in 25 years. but today, Putin’s personal interests are 8. Provocation in the South
Russia’s interests, even including using China Sea
affecting other economies, including nuclear arms. As he is fond of saying, Tensions are mounting between China
Canada’s. Additionally, China’s economic nobody should try to push Russia around and other countries in this strategic water-
growth was built on low-value exports when it has one of the world’s biggest way, threatening to escalate into military
with great government investment in nuclear arsenals. action. One-third of the world’s shipping
state-owned companies that are now travels through the South China Sea,
struggling to repay debt. The Economist which stretches from the Singapore and
reported in August 2015 that combined Malacca straits to the Strait of Taiwan. It
private-public debt had risen to 2.5 times is also believed to hold vast oil and gas
the GDP. The end result is that the Chi- reserves.
nese, nationally and personally, are spend- The natural islands in the hotly con-
ing less. tested area are claimed by other countries,
Significantly, China is one of the largest but China has claimed sovereignty over
foreign holders of U.S. funds (in Novem-
ber 2015, China owned $1.264 trillion in
treasuries, one-fifth of public debt held
© Presse750 | Dreamstime.com / President of the Russian Federation / Keelung Coast Guard

by foreign entities). China buys U.S. debt

to support the dollar, pegging the yuan to
the U.S. dollar and devaluing the currency
as needed to keep export prices competi-
tive. As the U.S.’s largest banker, China
has leverage. With the loonie measured
against the greenback, what China does
affects us, too.

7. An irritated Russia Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S.

The Russian bear is aging and angry, its President Barack Obama and Secretary of State
unpredictable leader, an authoritarian John Kerry on the margins of the UN General
muscle man who complains of being Assembly.
poked by the West, aging along with it.
The ruble and Russia’s standard of liv- Russia and the U.S. also disagree over
ing have fallen with the price of oil. Presi- Syria. The U.S. has accused Russia of
dent Vladimir Putin blames the West for targeting opposition groups and killing
Russia’s economic problems, citing sanc- civilians with its airstrikes; Russia refused Taiwanese and Japanese coast guards patrol the
tions over Ukraine, although he has not to stop, until a tenuous recent ceasefire. troubled waters of the South China Sea.
been the least intimidated by them. His Russia’s form of counter-terrorism, such
perspective that the war in Ukraine was as collective punishment of suspects’ the sea and has been building artificial
orchestrated by the West is shared by the families, could drive the radicalization of a islands and establishing military facilities
Russian elite. Putin has also talked about new generation. on them, damaging natural reefs, straining
an American-Saudi conspiracy and NATO Further, Russian involvement in the geopolitical tensions and creating conten-
economic warfare. fight against IS in Syria may lead to re- tion with the U.S. China says the facilities

diplomat and international canada 45

Di spatche s | 2016

are needed to protect the islands and the would “bomb those suckers” and “blow
U.S. is being provocative with its patrols. 9. Cyber attacks up the pipes…blow up the refineries,
The U.S. has tested China’s position by The most noticeable form of cyber attack is every single inch, there would be nothing
sending military vessels within 12 nautical phishing. Usually, it takes the form of fake left.” Among the other hawkish state-
miles of China’s claimed territory. emails from cable companies or banks ments: Ted Cruz promised to “carpet
Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Tai- warning that we must provide personal bomb them into oblivion” and to find out
wan and Brunei have competing territorial information to keep our accounts open. In “if sand can glow in the dark.”
claims in the South China Sea that don’t contrast, spear phishing is email-spoofing Hillary Clinton views military action as
involve China. Taiwan has controlled Itu fraud that targets specific organizations necessary as well (“We need to crush ISIS
Aba, the largest of the Spratly Islands, to get access to confidential information. on its home turf”), but her approach also
since 1956 and has built installations there. Spear phishing, in particular, has become
It has long been overshadowed by China a useful and effective criminal tool, with
in the dispute, but is asserting its claim much of it based on social media profiles.
now that the Phillippines has challenged Because we put our information “out
China in an international court in The there,” we are all at risk.
Hague. This hidden menace affects millions of
The U.S. has interests in maintaining people worldwide and costs companies
freedom of navigation and lines of com- US $400 billion each year. It will get worse
munication in the area, and preventing because we tend to be stupid about social
territorial disputes from escalating. Its media and no one is doing anything to
defence treaty with Manila could draw stop it.
the U.S. into China’s disputes with the In 2014, big attacks on corporations,
Philippines over natural gas and fishing such as the point-of-sale attacks on Target
grounds, or with Vietnam over territory. stores, transitioned to attacks aimed at
Additionally, in the adjacent East China getting identifiable personal information.
Sea, China is in a dispute with Japan over Also in 2014, the Canadian Anti-Fraud
the Senkaku/Daioyu islands. They have Centre reported that financial institutions
been Japanese territory since 1895, and were receiving fraudulent emails from cli-
China has asserted claims over them since ents requesting money transfers to foreign
the 1970s. China and Japan each claim an accounts.
exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical The largest target group of cyber-
miles; the sea is 360 nautical miles wide, attacks will be small- and medium-sized
so the claimed areas overlap. businesses, partially because of a lack
Although tension between China and of sophistication within that group, but
Japan has subsided, nationalism and mis- mostly because of the prevalence of infor-
trust heighten the potential for conflict mation about these businesses in places Republican hopeful Donald Trump refuses to
and impair efforts for peaceful resolu- such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Malware, reveal his “fool proof“plan to deal with IS.
tion. American treaty commitments with delivered through attachments or links in
Japan mean a military confrontation could phishing emails, is sold around the world includes dismantling terrorist infrastruc-
involve U.S. military action in the area, to individual criminals and small criminal ture, both real and virtual, and co-ordinat-
which would obviously disrupt global trade. groups, and hacking services are for sale ing with allies to prevent attacks.
to use against small businesses. In 2014, Bernie Sanders said he didn’t
The costs of cyber attacks will rise, but want the U.S. to lead the fight against IS,
accountability won’t and there is essen- and he put the onus on Muslim countries
tially no protection until a person or busi- to quash the terrorist group. Now his of-
ness has been defrauded or ruined. It is up ficial platform, buried in his campaign
to individuals to protect themselves. website, is that the U.S. “should not be
the policeman of the world” and should
be united in a large coalition “led and
10. American election sustained by nations in the region that
© Scowill | Dreamstime.com / Gage Skidmore

Given the long and tedious American elec- have the means to protect themselves.”
toral process, polls and early front-runners Specifically, he advocates “on-the-ground
aren’t accurate predictors of who will win. Muslim troops,” agreeing with King
In this year’s election, the attention given Abdullah of Jordan that “it will be Mus-
to the bombastic Donald Trump is obscur- lim troops who destroy ISIS, because ISIS
ing other platforms. We are hearing less has hijacked their religion,” while the
about what the other candidates are say- U.S., Britain, France, Germany and Rus-
ing, particularly concerning IS — the top sia would provide support to troops from
concern on this list. Muslim nations.
Trump declared in May 2015 that he
had a foolproof plan to defeat IS, but Laura Neilson Bonikowsky is an Alberta
Cyber-attacks are on the rise and everyone is wouldn’t share it, unwilling to alert the author and frequent contributor to
vulnerable. enemy. He said in December that he Diplomat.

46 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 2016 |Di s patche s

Imagine a billion African migrants

A
s overwhelming as the European The trigger in that scenario, he said, is dustrial Revolution, whose innovation can
refugee crisis is, Klaus Schwab, the meltdown of commodity prices and wipe out 20 million jobs, decimating the
executive chairman of the World its less-discussed effect of “social break- crucial middle class and, along with it,
Economic Forum, predicts much worse down.” Schwab says past policies and the stabilizing influence this class has on
may be ahead. technological shifts have triggered unex- democracies.
“Look how many countries in Africa, pected political and technological conse- To prevent the fracture of human ex-
for example, depend on income from oil quences. On the political side, loss of trust istence with “robotization,” and the dis-
exports,” Schwab told Bloomberg Business in decision makers and people’s loss of a integration of people’s sense of personal
ahead of the forum’s annual meeting in sense of a secure future have fuelled anger identity through work and family and
Davos, Switzerland. “Now imagine one and xenophobia. community, he encourages a “global civi-
billion inhabitants — imagine they all The technological side is the subject lization” to carry humanity through the
move north.” of his just-published book, The Fourth In- tumult.

*Asylum seekers escape conflict in Syria, Afghanistan Within the EU, Hungary and Germany are receiving the
and Eritrea bulk of the applications
First-Time Asylum Applicants in the EU by Major First-Time Asylum Applicants
Countries of Origin (Thousands of Applications) (Thousands)
300 70 70
Germany
2014 France
60 60
250 Italy
2014M1-M10
50 Hungary 50
2015M1-M10 Sweden
200
40 United Kingdom 40

150 30 30

20 20
100
10 10
50 0 0
Jan-14

Jan-15
Jan-13

Sep-13

Sep-14

Sep-15
May-13

May-14

May-15
0
Syria Afghanistan Eritrea Kosovo Serbia

Hungary, Sweden and Austria receive the most *Germany and Sweden are main destinations, and Italy,
applications relative to their populations Greece, and Hungary are gateways
Top 10 Asylum Seekers' Destinations in the EU-28 Stock of Asylum Applicants in the EU-28 by
(Applicants per 1,000 inhabitants, November 2014 to Regional Breakdown, 2015M1-M10 (Percent)
October 2015)
HUN Austria
SWE Germany
AUT
France
FIN
Italy
GER
MLT Hungary
LUX Sweden
BEL
United Kingdom
DNK
BGR Others
EU-28

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22

*M1-M1O: January to October Sources: Eurostat and IMF staff calculations.

1
Data show first-time asylum applications in each country, hence there could be double-counting if an asylum
seeker is registered in two countries. It is likely that the large number of registered asylum seekers in Hungary may
also count asylum seekers that have moved on to destination countries such as Austria, Germany, and Sweden.
From the January 2016 International Monetary Fund report, The Refugee Surge in Europe: Economic Challenges.
diplomat and international canada 47
48 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN
 Canadian foreign policy |Di s patche s

Foreign policy: The first 150 days

By Joe Landry

The Liberals ended bombing in Syria and Iraq by CF-18s, the fighter jet pictured, and are withdrawing them from international coalition forces.

N
ow that the Trudeau government negligible, making up only about three ics have noted that Canada can “walk and
has been in power for more than percent of all airstrikes. However, crit- chew gum at the same time.” However,
150 days, we have begun to see ics argue that withdrawing our fighters most recognize the rationale for ending
what shape Canada’s foreign policy will symbolizes weakness. Indeed, a number the air campaign is rooted in politics: It
take under its leadership. There have been of jihadi propaganda sites highlighted the was an election promise, and the Liberals
some surprises, while other actions have Canadian withdrawal as a victory and as wanted to keep it.
mirrored campaign promises and resur- a sign of a lack of Western resolve to con- The government caught a break when
rected classic liberal values from the past. tinue the fight. our U.S. allies declared their approval for
The biggest move so far — and cer- While the Liberals made a solid new the revamped mission. Yet, time will tell
tainly the one that has gotten the most commitment, by tripling the number of whether public support for a more dan-
publicity — is the retooling of the Cana- military trainers, more than doubling the gerous and costly mission in the Middle
dian commitment to fighting ISIS. In the number of soldiers on the ground, and East is well received by the Canadian pub-
United States Navy

election campaign, the Liberals promised upping the humanitarian contribution to lic. The government has also announced
to withdraw our CF-18s from the inter- the mission by hundreds of millions of a much-needed defence policy review,
national coalition and to focus instead on dollars, they were still caught flat-footed slated for completion in 2016. Expect the
“Canada’s strengths.” Canada’s contribu- when trying to explain why it was also review to re-prioritize Canada’s military
tion to the aerial mission was essentially necessary also to end the air mission. Crit- engagement capacity and strategy more

diplomat and international canada 49

Di spatche s | Canadian foreign pol icy

towards peacekeeping and peacebuilding foreign service and the country’s mission ued small, but meaningful, annual tours
than in recent years. to the United Nations and other multi- and consultations aimed at informing
The other story that dominated the lateral bodies. The PMO reportedly con- graduate students about the work envi-
headlines was Canada’s commitment to tacted Canada’s network of ambassadors ronment and mandate of various central
resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end around the world and lifted the strict com- agencies. So, although this is a small step,
of 2015. While not meeting the timeline, munications rules that had been imposed it represents a big shift in attitude. The
due to capacity and security problems, the by the previous government. Vetting of next budget will most likely see renewed
government has made good on its prom- public speeches by the PMO is no lon- funding to foreign affairs, possibly tar-
ise and, generally speaking, the move has ger required, and it vows to listen to the geting the enlargement of the Canadian
mixed levels of public support in Canada. advice of diplomatic staff on the ground permanent mission to the UN as well as
A recent poll by Angus Reid indicates that when it comes to dealing with relevant the reopening of consulates and embas-
more than 70 percent of Canadians feel the international issues. sies that were closed in recent years for
target is too high, however another poll financial reasons. An official foreign policy
shows that a slim majority (52 percent) review is viewed by some as long overdue
supported the plan to take in 25,000 refu- and best undertaken together with the
gees by the end of February. The evening defence policy review this year to ensure
news features feel-good news stories of coherence across departments.
refugees welcomed to their new commu- Canada’s international development
nities. However, not everything has gone policy underwent huge shifts in the past
as smoothly as hoped, with housing short- decade. One example is the sudden sus-
ages and refugees’ difficulty adapting to pension of all aid funding to Haiti and
their new surroundings creating some the move towards public-private partner-
problems for the new arrivals. Neverthe- ships with mining companies in Africa,
less, Canada’s international image was whereby Canadian aid was refocused
bolstered by scenes of Prime Minister towards appeasing communities affected
Justin Trudeau welcoming refugees at by large-scale mining projects. Moreover,
the airport, in contrast to polls of likely in 2014, $125 million of aid funding was
Republican voters in the U.S. who support returned to the Finance Department un-
Donald Trump’s call to cease immigration spent, and Canada’s level of foreign aid
by Muslims until the country's security as a percentage of GDP dropped. A shift
apparatus is deemed adequate for clearing away from economic interests and trade
them for entry. promotion is expected, with more fund-
Canada’s welcoming of a large num- ing to the most impoverished countries,
ber of Syrian refugees (although 25,000 especially those located in sub-Saharan
is a drop in the bucket when contrasted Africa. Evidence-based policy-making
against the more than 55 million refugees decisions across the board are likewise ex-
around the world) appears to be a political pected to make a resurgence, with centres
Expect the Liberals to start re-emphasizing
boon for the Liberals. peacekeeping and peacebuilding.
such as the International Development
Both less surprising and less controver- Research Centre playing a greater role
sial is the Trudeau government’s move to in government policy. More generally,
re-engage multilaterally. The first large- There has also been talk of renewing we can expect more openness and less
scale public demonstration of this com- the junior professional officer program, secrecy. Publishing the mandate letters
mitment in action was the COP21 Climate which allows young Canadians to work to ministers was the first step and the
Change Conference in Paris at the end for UN bodies in a highly regarded pro- increased accessibility of the ministers
of 2015. Canada sent a large delegation gram that was cancelled in 2010. The Lib- has been evident. To be sure, reshaping
that was very well received. Canada has erals have further reached out to youth, Canada’s international image is a priority

Corporal Shilo Adamson, Canadian Forces Combat Camera

received “Fossil Awards” as a laggard on particularly those in academia, with an item for this government. The day after
climate change action for the past several “International Policy Ideas Challenge.” the 2015 election, Justin Trudeau made a
years (including this one). In partnership with the Social Sciences clear statement to the rest of the globe: “I
However, that looks set to change and Humanities Research Council, Global want to say this. To this country’s friends
as Environment Minister Catherine Affairs Canada has challenged graduate all around the world — many of you have
McKenna addressed concerns over Cana- students to propose, in a short pitch, their worried that Canada has lost its compas-
da’s past behaviour and pointed to future best foreign policy ideas. The top 10 stu- sionate and constructive voice in the
constructive engagement both at home dents selected will be invited to present world over the past 10 years. Well, I have
and abroad. Indeed, the issue appears to their ideas and the top three will receive a simple message for you: on behalf of 35
be a priority for this government, with cash to further develop the proposals, million Canadians: We’re back.”
a new branding for the ministry, which which will then be used within the depart-
actually uses the term “climate change,” ment. Joe Landry is a Social Sciences and Hu-
as well mentioning it in the preamble of There was a shunning of academia un- manities Research Council (SSHRC)
PMO mandate letters to ministers, outlin- der the previous government, and of pub- Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada
ing commitments and ministerial goals. lic engagement generally. For example, Graduate Scholar and PhD candidate at
Less visible is the work being done be- it pared back and cancelled several key the Norman Paterson School of Interna-
hind the scenes to reinvigorate Canada’s research funding programs and discontin- tional Affairs at Carleton University.

50 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

diplomat and international canada 51
Di spatche s | R ussia Sp ea k s

Modern Russia: An ambassador's

look at priorities and challenges

As Ambassador Alexander Darchiev describes it, Russia has undergone dramatic change, which involved a “political transition to a strong elected
presidency” — in the current case, that of President Vladimir Putin, seen here after visiting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Editor’s note: Alexander Darchiev, ambas- that sweet time when I was an academic,
sador of Russia, made a rare public speech at with no dress or speech code imposed
Carleton University in February. To provide on me.
a look at Russia’s official positions on current In my capacity as research fellow at the
conflicts and issues, we reprint an edited ver- U.S.-Canada Institute in Moscow, before
sion of his speech here. I switched in 1992 to the Russian foreign
ministry to become a seasoned bureaucrat,

F
irst of all, I would like to thank Car- I had the luxury to study for a decade the
leton University and Larry Leder- liberal left or democratic (with a small
By Alexander Darchiev man [chairman of the Ambassador “d”) left in the United States — an “en-
Speakers Series] for inviting me to ad- dangered species” at that time, but topical
Kremlin.ru

Ambassador of Russia
dress such a distinguished audience and and successful nowadays, as Bernie Sand-
have a chance to refresh past memories of ers was hard on Hillary Clinton’s heels at

52 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 R ussia Sp ea k s |Di s patche s

the Iowa caucuses, and he soundly won in

the New Hampshire primaries.
Keeping in mind that brevity is the soul
of wit, I will do my best to follow this ad-
age, but given the magnitude of the topic
— “priorities and challenges of modern
Russia” — something can inevitably be
missed or omitted, so you are invited to
ask questions afterwards.
Since the early 1990s, Russia has un-
dergone dramatic change, which involved
a drastic transformation of the economic
system from a state-run to a market
one, as well as political transition to a
strong elected presidency, reminiscent of
a blended American-French model, to a
vibrant legislative and judiciary and ex-
panding civil society.
Of course, the last 25 years were over-
whelmed with turbulence, delusions and
misconceptions, especially in the late
1990s, an extremely uneasy and hard
time, when the very statehood was threat-
ened, when terrorism was spilling over
from our southern borders to Moscow,
when painful reforms sometimes went In addition to celebrating its heroic past, including “the enormous sacrifices in the war against
too far, throwing out the baby with the Nazism,” Russia needs to build a more dynamic society on that foundation, Darchiev said. Seen
bath water. here are Russian president Joseph Stalin, U.S. president Franklin Roosevelt and British prime minister
But, through trial and error, one simple Winston Churchill at the Tehran Conference in 1943.
truth is now consensual and largely pre-
vailing: excesses, whether ideologically deeply rooted sense of truth and justice, It’s true that western sanctions added
coloured or not, extreme right or extreme adherence to and expectation of state pro- to that negative trend, although to a
left, are dead wrong; that it’s a path to tections with individual freedoms, local much lesser degree than our systemic
nowhere to write off our past, that Rus- self-governance and self-reliance. dependence on lavish natural resources
sian and Soviet history, both bright and A lot has changed; the process is on- revenues, which is not alien to Canada,
dark, will forever be with us as a source of going, and looking back to where the as well.
patriotism and inspiration, as well as grief starting point was, one could assert posi- Obviously, sanctions, as a double-
tively — the beef is there, “because it’s edged sword, while unable to meet
2016.” Our party system, with a classic their intended goal, dear to some of
S anctions ... hav e had divide between the left, the centre-left and our counterparts, of cornering or isolat-
centre-right will soon be tested again at ing Russia — which is “mission impos-
the backlash eff ect parliamentary elections this September. sible” — or even bringing about a regime
And, most important, the general public change, have had the backlash effect of
of hitting E uropean now agrees that, along with being proud hitting European producers who lost bil-
of and paying tribute to our heroic past, lions of euros, with some economic fallout
pro ducers w ho lost especially the enormous sacrifices in the experienced in this country, too.
war against Nazism, which we call the Keeping in mind that “every cloud has
b illions of euros , Great Patriotic War, we need to build a a silver lining,” the current unfavourable
with some economic more dynamic society on that foundation. conjuncture is not that bad, being rather
a wake-up call to promote domestic pro-
fallout e xperienced in Western sanctions against Russia duction, due to our national currency
There are many bumps in the road, both devaluation against the U.S. dollar, which
[ Canada], too . of an external nature caused by global eco- is a wake-up call to diversify by encourag-
nomic disturbance and a looming world ing resourcefulness as opposed to over-
recession, and of domestic origin, given a reliance on resources.
and reflection. And in terms of economic huge — up to 10 times or more — income At the end of the day, while acknowl-
policy, the welfare state is not an antithesis gap between the top rich and the poor, edging things are not serene at all, it
to a free market: We could have the best with the middle class squeezed. should be recognized that the current
of two worlds by nurturing a socially ori- With the drastic fall of oil and gas storm has been weathered rather well.
ented market economy. prices, as well as other export commodi- Some sectors, such as agriculture, do dem-
It’s a real challenge to fine-tune the ties, the Russian economy suffered a seri- onstrate modest, three-percent growth,
US Army

political and social system in a way that ous blow in 2015 that resulted in the GDP industrial production is slightly up this
will harmonize traditional values, a dropping by 3.7 percent. year (again, three percent in the Russian

diplomat and international canada 53

Di spatche s | R ussia s p ea k s

Pro-Russian supporters make their views known regarding the Russian expansion into Crimea.

Far East), while finances and the labour ments of the early 1990s epitomized in the cluded sober recognition that the notions
market are stable and the trade balance “end of history” belief that liberal capi- of (American) exceptionalism, of a single-
is positive. This promises, with many ifs, talism and western-style democracy are polar world, dominated by one indispens-
and although 2016 is already marked by universal prescriptions for nation-building able power, are no longer relevant.
severe budget constraints, it will be better and social transformation, have still pre- Instead of a serious and equal dialogue
than the year 2015. on new threats and challenges, the U.S., as
Hard times come and go, but, most im- the leading force of the West, intoxicated
portant, in an extremely difficult environ- I t’ s high time to by a delusional belief in winning the Cold
ment, we have kept our economy open, War, can hardly accept the new reality of a
setting as a major priority to maintain an accept … that the multi-polar world, recognizing other key
encouraging business climate for foreign players as equals.
investors, while providing incentives and ol d “ real politik” is It’s high time to accept that the world is
stimulus to national industry, small and not as black-and-white as neocons would
medium businesses, as well as guarantees more relevant now like it to be, that the old “real politik” is
to support low-income and vulnerable more relevant now than the irresponsible
than the irresponsib le
groups. political and social engineering imposed
In a changing world, where terrorism, political an d social by force through circumvention of the
at its ugliest medieval, barbaric form in United Nations for the sake of ideology.
which mass beheadings and executions engineering imposed
are routine, can come at any moment to Revolution's aftermath: ’hangover, blood,
our doorsteps, the pressing challenge for by force through the chaos, crush and wasteland’
the West and Russia is to join efforts, as we We badly need history back, to avoid a
did in an anti-Hitler coalition more than circum vention o f the situation when new demons of ISIS and
Andrew Butko

70 years ago, putting aside disagreements the like are created as an “unintended
and animosities until the common enemy
United Nations f or the consequence,” according to President
was totally defeated. sake o f id eology. [Barack] Obama’s understatement with
Unfortunately, fallacies and misjudg- regard to George Bush’s invasion of Iraq.

54 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 R ussia s p ea k s |Di s patche s

So, one simple truth should be accepted: nian nuclear program, political settlement respectful basis. We give preference, quite
By sponsoring change in a Trotsky-type in Syria by bringing together, or drag- naturally, to co-operation with our part-
“permanent revolution” fashion, be ready ging together, with the door periodically ners, first of all, in the Eurasian Economic
to face the forces of extremism that will slammed, government authorities and op- Union, as well as the BRICS (Brazil, Rus-
one day turn into a deadly, uncompromis- position members, who speak with many, sia, India, China and South Africa), the
ing enemy. sometimes conflicting, voices. Shanghai Co-operation Organization and
It’s true for Iraq, it’s true for Libya In the world we are living in, where a Asia-Pacific.
bombed into total chaos, as well as for terrain of chaos along the axis of instabil- In Russian-American relations, while
Syria, where the U.S.-led coalition, ob- ity from North Africa to Afghanistan is recognizing limits and seemingly insur-
sessed with toppling Bashar al-Assad, rapidly expanding, complacency and mis- mountable obstacles to our engagement,
armed and equipped Islamists to find out guidance cannot be afforded. We need to we would like to act co-operatively where
one day that they were out of control. move forward with a political settlement it’s possible and where there is mutual in-
In retrospect, the West stepped on in Syria, coming to terms with this, despite terest although no illusions are harboured,
the same rake in Afghanistan during resistance by some regional powers that given that in the past our many concerns,
the 1980s, where the CIA trained and
equipped mujahedeens to fight the Soviet
army — only to face them two decades
later, reincarnated as al-Qaeda, and to
discover that former “freedom-fighters”
employed acquired battle experience in
attacking their former sponsors.
Despite differences and peculiarities,
scenarios of forcefully imposed change
— supporting the enemy of my enemy
— repeated themselves, with deplorable
results.
To effectively fight terrorism, this pat-
tern should be changed. It is important to
give up the temptation of easy solutions,
to avoid endless repetition of what is at
the core of any revolution, whether Bol-
shevik or Maidan or “coloured” or Arab
Spring turning into a dark and cold win-
ter, when first comes the spiritual elation,
bolstered by illusions, and afterwards a
hangover, blood, chaos, crush and waste-
land.
Yes, there is now a strong demand for
a more just and equal international order.
Russia is open to constructive engage-
ment based on recognition of national
interests and mutual respect; and we all
know, when Russians and Americans
work together, the world is a safer place.
When they are at loggerheads and Russia
is targeted instead of joining efforts, there
are high chances that the case will be lost.
We do have positive examples of mutu-
ally beneficial co-operation, most notably
after 9/11, when President Vladimir Putin “The West stepped on the same rake in Afghanistan during the 1980s when the CIA trained
called then-U.S. president George W. Bush and equipped mujahedeens to fight the Soviet Army — only to face them two decades later,
right after the attack, suggesting help. reincarnated as al-Qaeda,” the ambassador said. Shown here is Afghanistan during that time.
Russia afterwards assisted the U.S. in
Afghanistan, providing vital intelligence pursue their own agenda of catching fish for instance, over missile defence, were
and supporting the Northern Alliance, in muddy water and providing cover for routinely ignored, followed by advice to
both an American and Russian ally. their “good terrorists,” who bear little or trust America’s verbal assurances (instead
This was a classic “I do for you, you no difference to ISIS and the like. of legally binding papers, as we insisted).
do for me” in degrading the Taliban and We believe that deep reassessment is
al-Qaeda, thus averting their far-reaching needed to make our multipolar world
Credit: E. Kuvakin

Russians unhappy with NATO expansion

plans to infiltrate Central Asia. I can also So, defining our national security, we more secure and just; this should be an
mention a similar Russian-American joint prioritize engagement with the U.S. (and, honest two-way dialogue with the accep-
effort in withdrawing Syrian chemical I should add, Canada), with the Euro- tance of the simple fact that the West does
weapons, the recent agreement on the Ira- pean Union on an equal and mutually not speak for the whole of the interna-

diplomat and international canada 55

Di spatche s | R ussia s p ea k s

tional community, only a part of it, while a global nature, risking a slide into a mis-
BRICS countries and other players stand T errorists d o not judged confrontation and diverting atten-
for their vision of world order as more just tion and resources from the major danger.
and domination-free. distinguish b et ween Terrorists do not distinguish between
Don’t forget about the wider Asia- Americans, Russians or Canadians; an
Americans , R ussians or
Pacific, Latin America, about Africa, which attack can happen anytime, anywhere,
is a victim of global inequality, doomed Canad ians ; an attack regardless of geography or a country’s sig-
to survive on a subsistence level with nificance or insignificance in world affairs.
no chances for even getting closer to the can happen anytime , It could be indoctrinated “lone wolves”
“golden billion.” who are extremely hard to detect, it could
Unfortunately, an old Cold War mental- anywhere , regar dless be recruited fighters, determined to kill,
ity is still there. Dire predictions by some like the ones arrested in early February in
western officials and media are in abun- of geography or a Russia's Ural Mountains [those planning
dance and Red Scare scenarios are back, an attack on Moscow and St. Petersburg.]
while in pure figures, NATO potential by
country’ s signif icance
any count, be it manpower, artillery, tanks or insigni f icance in Intelligence information-sharing ‘pivotal’
and aircraft, exceeds Russian armed forces We need to destroy the hotbed of terror-
several times. The U.S. military budget, world a f fairs. ism in Syria and Iraq, removing the cause
for instance, is more than a half trillion of the problem, rather than face, some-
U.S. dollars, while Russian military expen- times helplessly, its consequences. ISIS
ditures are less than 60 billion U.S. dollars. with items such as the Russia- and U.S.- and the like are international terrorists:
Yes, Russians are unhappy with NATO sponsored UN Security Council Resolu- Remember Jihadi John, speaking perfect
expansion, given that above-mentioned tion 2254 on Syria. Joint efforts are badly cockney, and other radicals from many
superiority and the fact that we are de- needed to politically counter the North European countries. There are up to 3,000
clared enemy No. 1. But it’s not we who Korean rocket launch which, some say, Russian citizens fighting in the ranks of Is-
came to the alliance’s doorsteps, it’s was actually a covert missile test, in stark lamists of every ilk in Syria and Iraq. Bet-
NATO building up its infrastructure in violation of UN resolutions. ter to degrade them there than allow them
closest proximity to our borders. We are standing at the frontier to make to show up in the Northern Caucasus,
Nonetheless, there is no other alterna- a choice between co-operation and tragic Moscow or St. Petersburg. Some of ISIS’s
tive than keeping the dialogue on secu- inability to face the clear and present rank-and-file could shuttle between the
rity issues going and coming to terms threat of terrorism, of other challenges of Middle East and Canada, so intelligence

U.S. Department of State

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry joins U.S. President Barack Obama for a meeting with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko before the NATO summit
in Wales. Ambassador Darchiev doesn’t welcome NATO expansion toward Russia

56 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 R ussia s p ea k s |Di s patche s

information sharing is critical. EEU market: $2.2 trillion GDP supported by both countries, to the UN
I will not discover America, as goes As an ambassador whose mission is to Commission on the Limits of the Con-
one Russian saying, if I take the liberty make relations with the host country tinental Shelf. A promising new format,
to suggest that talking is better than not better, I hope for the better, for bringing worthy of mention in this context, is the
talking. It’s the ABC of diplomacy which, dialogue back, as opposed to an ideo- Arctic Coastal Guard Forum.
sometimes, somewhere, has been ignored logically charged monologue, for restoring As for business co-operation, which is
for quite a while, with the deplorable end channels of communications to engage in now on a downward trend due to nega-
result of name-calling and brinkmanship tough, but promising bargaining. tive developments in the last two years,
statements in abundance, to no avail in We can agree to disagree, proceed- we have the potential to make our bilat-
terms of pragmatism and common sense. ing from the premise that traditional eral trade more robust by harnessing the
By any count, it’s highly impracti- diplomacy has no alternative, if serious opportunities that exist in the huge Rus-
cal to demonize your opponent. Henry business is meant; Russia is ready for a sian and Canadian markets.
Kissinger, the patriarch of “real politik,” comeback to “business as usual,” though Bilateral trade, to be precise, is around
who has visited Moscow recently, spoke “business unusual” or “no business at all” US $1.3 billion, which is the lowest point
eloquently on the need to revitalize multi- was not our choice. in a decade and three times less than our
lateral diplomatic efforts. While acknowledging differences and 2008 peak (US $3.2 billion).
So, heeding that advice, another simple recognizing each other’s considerations, On that bleak background, some bright
truth is to be remembered: Sacrificing our countries as neighbours across the spots do exist, including more than 14 Ca-
diplomacy to domestic consumption and nadian-Russian joint ventures established
parochial calculations could backfire; by only during the last two years in a wide
being polite, you will win much more than range of areas, as well as the increase,
pretending to be rude, because of a high due to Russian currency depreciation,
risk to become a laughing stock on social of imports from Russia to Canada by 20
media. percent.
What comes to my mind, as an exem- Special praise goes to the mining sec-
plary case of a negotiating technique, is tor, which has always been an excellent
how Kissinger, in his capacity as national example of our bilateral co-operation, flag-
security adviser and secretary of state, shipped by successful operations in Russia
maintained a confidential channel of com- of such well-known companies as Kinross
munication with Soviet ambassador Ana- Gold, Silver Bear Resources and Global
toly Dobrinyn. Cobalt. We could also make headway in
To save time for substantial discus- our agricultural co-operation as well.
sion, they agreed to fix principled posi- Doing business with Russia these
tions of both sides on paper, designating days means substantial expansion to a
them numerically; so, at their encounters, larger market of a relatively new, but
Kissinger simply referred, say, to the U.S. fast-expanding integration entity of Eur-
argument No. 5, while Dobrinyn cited asian Economic Union, which is a joint
appropriate Soviet argument No. 5, and co-operative effort by Armenia, Belarus,
after that exchange, to fulfil instructions, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia,
they were turning to the real business comprising 15 percent of the world’s land
of bargaining — something in demand mass, with goods and services, as well as
nowadays. Ambassador Darchiev applauds the way in a labour force, shuttling freely between
It’s very encouraging, I should say, that which Henry Kissinger, seen here, approached member states.
Canadians voted for change last October, his job as U.S. national security adviser and It’s a market of more than 183 million
which opens a window of opportunity for secretary of state when dealing with Soviet people, with a gross domestic product of
a fundamental shift from self-isolation to ambassador Anatoly Dobrinyn. US $2.2 trillion (or more than $4 trillion, if
engagement in foreign policy, for a stron- counted by purchasing power), an integra-
ger and constructive Canadian voice in the North Pole have a vested interest in re- tion project formed in strict accordance
international arena. storing normalcy, at least in such areas of with WTO rules, following a principled
Canada could indeed do more, given pragmatic co-operation as the Arctic, anti- approach of inclusion, not exclusion, and
its record of mediation (Cuban-U.S. rap- terror and business ties. proceeding from the premise that regional
prochement is one example), and by The northern dimension is of par- trade agreements, such as the TPP, should
sharing its own experience; for instance, ticular importance, given our adherence supplement, not substitute for, the existing
advising Ukraine to transform itself from a to the principle of sovereignty, as well global trade system.
current unitary state into a federation. It can as rights and responsibilities of Arctic Ladies and gentlemen, I am an opti-
urge authorities in Kyiv to implement the powers, given determination to secure mist, and an optimist, by definition, is an
Minsk Accords in earnest, in their entirety national interests, be it the Canadian informed pessimist. So my symbol of faith
of interrelated measures, through direct Northwest Passage or the Russian North- is that both sides of every story should be
dialogue with leaders of the Donetsk and ern Sea Route. heard, that common sense will prevail in
David Shankbone

Lugansk republics to define their special Interaction cannot be avoided within the final run, although change does not
status as a “société distincte,” where Rus- consensual multilateral fora, starting from happen overnight; it’s a process which, I
sian is recognized as a state language, with the Arctic Council and Arctic Economic believe, could unfold rapidly or step-by-
political and economic rights guaranteed. Council, major business venues strongly step, but surely in a positive direction. D

diplomat and international canada 57

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A false spring?
By Derek Fraser

When then-Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych abandoned the EU Association Agreement in 2013, his actions provoked the events, known as the
Maidan uprising, that led to his downfall.

S
ince the end of the year, there has dent Vladimir Putin has replaced officials ties of the agreement to its own advantage.
been a shift in tone in Russian- from the Russian foreign ministry with Russia wants an agreement on less-
Ukrainian relations. At Russia’s political figures reporting to him. than-democratic elections for the Donbas
initiative, talks on the conflict in the Don- The purpose of the Russian push is to so as to give political legitimacy to its
bas between representatives of Russia, achieve the implementation on its terms proxies, the rebels, and amendments to
Nessa Gnatoush

Russian-supported rebels, Ukraine, the of the Minsk II Agreement of February the Ukrainian constitution that would
EU, and now the U.S., have become more 2015, which established the current poorly give full autonomy to a Russian-controlled
intensive. observed ceasefire. Donbas, including the right to its own for-
For two of the key negotiations, Presi- Each side seeks to exploit the ambigui- eign policy and a veto on the foreign and

58 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 Uk raine -R ussia re l ations |Di s patche s

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko meets with German President Angela Merkel and U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden at the 51st Munich Security
Conference in 2015.

domestic foreign policy of Ukraine. Russia Russia wants what Ukraine can’t give the price of surrendering control of the
attempts to force Ukraine to acquiesce to What the Ukrainian government is pre- Donbas or accepting the independence of
these terms by making the resumption of pared to do in constitutional reform, there- Ukraine. Russia appears more likely to be
Ukrainian control of the border with Rus- fore, falls far short of what Russia requires. seeking a way of obtaining a release from
sia, and thus the withdrawal of the unac- Furthermore, the government may not the sanctions without changing its policy
knowledged Russian troops, conditional even have the political support needed towards Ukraine. The increased Russian
on their acceptance. to gain approval for this initiative. An attacks in the Donbas suggest instead
Ukraine requires Russia first to with- amendment to the constitution requires that Russia is still trying to destabilize
draw Russian troops and weapons and 300 votes in the parliament, the Rada, Ukraine and perhaps prevent passage of
allow Ukraine to resume control of the on second reading. On the first reading the amendments to the constitution so as
border with Russia before elections are in August, the proposed amendment to blame Ukraine for the lack of progress.
held or an amended constitution comes obtained only 265 votes. There is a real
into force. danger that, should President Petro Po- Russian reluctance
Ukraine furthermore refuses to ac- roshenko push through even the modest There are two reasons for Russian reluc-
cept elections that are not held under forms of decentralization this amendment tance to change course on Ukraine. The
Ukrainian law, organized by the Central proposes, the government will be de- large and hostile demonstrations in Mos-
Electoral Commission with the participa- feated, perhaps forcing early elections and cow and St. Petersburg in 2011 and 2012
tion of all Ukrainian parties, and citizens the fall of the government. that greeted Putin’s return to the presi-
of the area, with total media freedom and The reasons for the recent renewal of dency led Russia to pursue aggressively a
observed by the Organization for Security Russian diplomatic activity appear to be policy that the country had been gradually
and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). that the worsening economic situation in developing since the previous decade:
There has never been any appetite in Russia, principally caused by the decline Convincing the West to treat Russia as a
Ukraine for decentralization anywhere in in the price of oil, has forced Russia to great power again, with a veto on issues of
the country. Just before the Russian-led seek to end western sanctions. importance to her.
uprising in the Donbas, decentralization in There is pressure on the Ukrainians as Russia’s belligerent foreign policy, espe-
Donetsk and Luhansk enjoyed the support well. Western Europe is suffering from cially shown in the annexation of Crimea,
of only about a quarter of the population. “Ukraine fatigue.” If it appears that Putin has sent popular approval for Putin to
The Ukrainian government is neverthe- is co-operating, and Poroshenko stalling in unprecedented heights. It is not clear that,
less supporting a revision of the consti- seeking a settlement, some EU countries in the Kremlin’s eyes, the danger of unrest
tution to permit decentralization at the may eventually be tempted to put an end arising from the worsening economic
community level for the entire country. to sanctions and leave Ukraine to its fate. situation has reached the point where it
Local bodies would have responsibility While Russia evidently wants to free counter-balances the political damage a
in areas such as health care, education, itself from western sanctions, from the Russian retreat on Ukraine would cause.
Mark Müller

cultural institutions and public works. A little information that has seeped out of Furthermore, for Russia, the abandon-
special status for the Donbas would, how- the negotiating sessions, there is nothing ment of its Ukrainian ambitions could
ever, only last three years. to suggest that Russia is prepared to pay sound the death knell for its wider ambi-

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tions to again be treated as a great power. of the new Russian Military Doctrine, latest in a series of attempts to re-establish
It doubtful that Putin is prepared to give declared that in order to achieve the aim Russian control in the former Soviet
them up. of the Russian National Security Doc- Union. The Russians hope that the EEU
To understand the dilemma Putin is trine-2020, namely the renaissance of Rus- will grow into a geopolitical bloc with re-
facing, let us look in detail at his foreign sponsibility for collective security.
policy aims. Putin has been attempting
to recover Russia’s great power status by No European integration
obtaining a veto over major aspects of For Russia, Ukrainian membership in the
European and East-West affairs, and by EEU is essential to the success of the orga-
bringing the other former Soviet republics nization. In September 2013, Putin’s aide
back under Russian control. for developing the Eurasian Economic
Let's first consider Russia’s efforts to Union, Sergei Glaziev, warned Ukraine
obtain its veto. In 2008, president Dmitry that, if it signed the EU Association Agree-
Medvedev proposed a European Security ment, which would have prevented
Treaty that would devalue existing secu- Ukrainian membership in the EEU, Russia
rity measures, such as the Organization might support secessionist movements
for Security and Co-operation in Europe. in Ukraine. During that autumn, Rus-
The Medvedev proposals would also sia maintained its pressure on Ukraine.
have prevented NATO from acting inde- Eventually, then-Ukrainian president
pendently of Moscow and any further for- Viktor Yanukovych abandoned the EU
mer Soviet republics from joining NATO. Association Agreement and all but joined
Finally, the proposals would have the Eurasian Economic Union. His actions
weakened the independence of the East provoked the Maidan uprising, which led
European countries by dropping the to his downfall.
OSCE principles of the inviolability of bor- NATO was not an issue at this stage.
ders, non-intervention in internal affairs, NATO had refused to offer Ukraine a path
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko
respect for human rights and fundamental to membership in 2008.Yanukovych had
freedoms and equal rights and self-deter- earlier proclaimed Ukraine’s non-aligned
mination of peoples. status. The idea of joining NATO enjoyed
Russia also proposed a “union of Eu- T here is real danger the support of only 17 percent of the
rope” between Russia and the EU. The population.
union would co-ordinate energy, military, that, shoul d The overthrow of Yanukovych in Feb-
political and strategic matters. In October ruary 2014 and the decision of the new
2014, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Presid ent P etro government to sign the EU Association
stated that the agreement with the EU Agreement, and perhaps its intention to
would be based on a system of indivis- P oroshenko seek to apply again for NATO membership, led
ible security whereby no country would Putin to activate long-prepared plans to
push through e ven
strengthen its security at the expense of subjugate Ukraine.
the others. Such provisions would pre- the mod est f orms o f After seizing Crimea in February 2014,
vent the EU from acting independently of Russia launched the secessionist move-
Moscow or the other former Soviet repub- decentraliz ation [ to ment in the Donbas in April to prevent
lics from associating with the EU. North Ukraine from moving West. All but one of
America would, in fact, be excluded from get constitutional the principal leaders of the uprising were
Europe. Russians.
The Medvedev proposals apparently re f orm], the An influential voice on Russian foreign
remain the basis of Russian policy. Since policy, Sergey Karaganov, the honorary
2012, there have been many Russian
gov ernment w ill be chairman of the Presidium of the Coun-
speeches and articles advocating a return defeated, perhaps cil on Foreign and Defence Policy, and a
to the Yalta-Potsdam or Cold War system Kremlin adviser on Russia’s relations with
of East-West relations in which the Soviet f orcing early the other former Soviet republics, stated at
Union had a veto. the time of the Russian seizure of the Don-
Lavrov, speaking in October 2014, elections. bas that Russia wants “a united, federative
stated that the Ukrainian civil war could Ukraine, if possible. Only this arrange-
have been avoided if Russia’s proposed ment will maintain the formal integrity
treaties on European security had been sia as a great power, Russian dominance of the state, but Ukraine as a full-fledged
concluded. over the other former Soviet Republics state will be a distant historical memory.
Let us now examine Russia’s attempt to had to be restored. Russia could, if neces- This scenario will ensure Russia’s de facto
© Claude Truong-Ngoc

bring the other former Soviet republics to sary, use force to achieve its objectives. dominance in east and southeast Ukraine
heel. In August 2013, Ruslan Pukhov, the The chief instrument for establishing and semi-autonomy for the country’s
director of the Moscow-based Centre for Russian dominance is the Russian-led west.”
Analysis of Strategies and Technologies Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) of for- While Russia may have abandoned its
(which is close to the defence ministry) mer Soviet republics (Armenia, Belarus, ambition to carve a Russian-controlled
and the author of an authoritative study Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan.) The EEU is the Novorossiya out of the southeast of

60 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 Uk raine -R ussia re l ations |Di s patche s

Ukraine, there has otherwise been no indi-

cation of any change in Russian thinking
since then.
The Russian threat is not confined to
Ukraine. In a speech in October 2014, Pu- MOVE-IN READY
tin declared that the Ukrainian civil war uNIts aVaILaBLe
was an example of a conflict “at the inter-
section of major states’ geopolitical inter-
ests,” and added, “I think it will certainly
not be the last” without a clear system of
mutual commitments and agreements. In
another speech in the same month, Lavrov
added that Moldova and the Baltic states
should “consider events in Ukraine and
draw conclusions.”
To increase pressure on the Baltic states,
Russia’s attorney general’s office opened
an investigation in the autumn of 2015
into the legality of the Baltic states’ inde-
pendence. Furthermore, at about the same
time, Russian political analyst Rostislav
Ishchenko, an associate of the Izborsky
Club, a nationalist group with deep roots
in the Kremlin, advocated, in what other
Russian commentators have described as
a trial balloon, the “preventive occupa-
tion” of the Baltic States so as to force the
West into negotiations. British Defence
Secretary Michael Fallon has said Putin
poses a “real and present danger” to Esto-
nia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Russian pressure on the Baltic republics
is also physical. Russian forces staged a
raid on Estonia to kidnap an Estonian se-
curity official. The Russian foreign minis-
try has warned Latvia about its treatment
of its Russian minority while Russian mili-
tary aircraft violate Baltic airspace and the
Russian navy harasses Lithuanian ships.
There may be, therefore, no easy or
quick fix to the current East-West crisis. Purchase yours today
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diplomat and international canada 61

Di spatche s | A frica

South Africa’s looming crisis

South African President Jacob Zuma, shown here at his inauguration, has overseen a situation in which good governance in Africa’s formerly most-
accomplished nation is largely gone, according to columnist Robert Rotberg.

Africa) — supposedly a group of the lead- United Kingdom to Uganda, the ability
ing nation states of the developing world. of a government to govern and a leader
After the defeat of apartheid, South Africa to lead effectively depends on retaining
also was led by Nelson Mandela, a glow- the legitimacy that each gained through
ing icon of positive change and humanis- electoral approval or as a result of wide-
tic achievement for his country, for Africa spread, generalized citizen-provided ap-
and for the world. probation. When such legitimacy recedes,
Robert I. South Africa was expected to lead as it did even before the Harper adminis-
Rotberg
sub-Saharan Africa’s emergence onto tration was voted out of office in Canada,
the world scene as a major player, soon the ability of a leader, or a regime associ-
The presidency of republic of South Africa

S
outh Africa's economic, social and equivalent to Asia. But no longer. This de- ated with a flawed leader, to continue to
political outcomes drive sub-Saha- cade’s sad tale is of great promises unful- preside assuredly over the affairs of a na-
ran Africa. At least it did for a few filled, of Mandela’s legacy blemished and tion becomes severely compromised.
years at the end of the last century and discarded, of political leadership failing That is what has happened, relentlessly,
the beginning of this one. After all, South a now-cynical nation, and of increasing in South Africa. President Jacob Zuma’s
Africa for many years harboured sub- internal anger over inequality. Thanks to political star, once shining brightly over
Saharan Africa’s most dynamic economy, bad management and collapsing com- a legitimized post-Mandela, African
its most vibrant political system, its most modity export prices, South Africa could National Congress-mediated, limitless
advanced infrastructure and its most easily slip into recession this year. horizon, has now dimmed to the dark
established educational system. South Political regimes everywhere depend point where good governance in Africa’s
Africa also became a member of BRICS on projecting and demonstrating le- formerly most accomplished nation is
(Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South gitimacy. From Canada to Chile, from the largely gone. According to a late 2015

62 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 A frica |Di s patche s

Afrobarometer opinion survey, public dis- well-managed (despite growing corrup- Strategic Studies believes that only 1/13th
trust of Zuma personally increased from tion) and the then-ANC-led government of all rapes are reported, so the overall
37 percent in 2011 to 66 percent in 2015. fully legitimate. Kgalema Motlanthe fin- figure could be much higher. Certainly,
Public “approval” of Zuma’s performance ished out the remainder of Mbeki’s presi- local watchdog groups and civil society
as president fell from 64 percent in 2011 to dential term until Zuma could take up the organizations believe that South Africa
36 percent in 2015. Afrobarometer stated: reins constitutionally. Motlanthe is now has a plague of rapes, including rapes of
“A majority of citizens believe[s] that he critical of Zuma. very young children.
routinely ignores both the legislature and Since then, South Africa has rolled
the judiciary.” uncontrollably downhill, with economic Murdered farmers, land redistribution
growth rates and GDP levels per capita promises and food shortages
Zuma's US $251-million jet, $21-million villa On the increase over 2008 are violent
Despite an unyielding drought that imper- property crimes — “aggravated robber-
ils South Africa’s much-vaunted agricul- ies” — including street robberies, house
tural productivity; the failure of Eskom, robberies, business thefts and car and
the state-owned electric monopoly, to truck hijackings. South Africa’s rate of 225
supply steady power to cities, towns and violent property crimes per 100,000 people
rural areas (cities are often plunged into was among the highest in the world in
darkness for hours at a time); and a likely 2013-2014. A number of African- and
annual economic growth rate of a measly Coloured-populated townships have de-
one percent, Zuma blithely condemns manded better and fairer policing, largely
his critics and giggles when criticized in to no avail. When New York City Police
Parliament. Recently, he purchased a US Commissioner William J. Bratton visited
$251-million presidential jet. Last year, he South Africa with me in 1997, he was
lamely defended the state’s expenditure of surprised to see so few police patrolling
US $21 million to construct a massive villa Johannesburg; senior officials told him
for him in his home province of KwaZulu- that their men were fearful of being out on
Natal, a retreat he intends to inhabit after the streets at night, even in groups of two.
eventually leaving the presidency. (Just Little has changed in 2016.
before Zuma assumed South Africa’s A worrying and growing category of
presidency in 2009, he had 783 counts of crime occurs on farms, especially in this
corruption, fraud, money-laundering and unusually dry year. According to the
tax evasion over his head, charges that A majority of South African citizens now Transvaal Agricultural Union, a long-es-
were dropped as he entered high office.) believes that Jacob Zuma, above, routinely tablished local farmers’ organization, and
Zuma probably plunged himself and ignores the legislature and the judiciary. Afriforum, the murder rate of white farm-
his government to a nadir in December ers was 133 per 100,000 in 2014 (a dev-
when he dismissed an able finance min- suffering. A sizeable number of newly astatingly destructive number by global
ister who had been thwarting Zuma’s empowered African businessmen have standards). In 2015, the rate was lower —
wild attempts to purchase Russian nuclear grown immensely wealthy by partnering, 65 per 100,000. But even that lower rate is
reactors (with big side payments) and buy according to a Mbeki affirmative-action almost as high as the murder rate in Hon-
new aircraft through shady middlemen scheme, with the pre-existing white cor- duras. Most of the killers of white farmers
(with more kickbacks). Zuma installed porate and mining establishments. But were Africans, but Africans also killed
an amateur ministerial replacement, and most Africans, Coloureds and Indians African farm owners, 35 percent of the
then, after a national uproar, was com- have seen their living standards fall. Un- total murdered in 2015. White and black
pelled four days later to replace the ama- employment rates are officially only 25 farmers say that South Africa’s police ig-
teur with a well-respected finance minister percent; unofficially, according to South nore farm crimes — a common complaint
from the past. Even so, the first sacking African academic researchers and other from nearly all sectors of society. Because
led to a run on the rand. In early 2016, experts, more than 40 percent of Africans South Africa’s agricultural sector is at
the rand had lost almost half of its value are unemployed. That is, 40 percent are risk economically, and because the ANC
against the U.S. dollar. outside the formal wage sector, existing and Zuma have noisily suggested that
Nelson Mandela united South Africa precariously by “informal” means. Africans should own considerably more
when he vaulted to prominence in 1990, Crime rates in South Africa, high un- farms than they do, farming and farm
after 27 years in prison, and proceeded to der apartheid, are much higher today. ownership is much more precarious than
reconcile the peoples of the post-apartheid Although Honduras, El Salvador, Guate- it was a decade ago. White farmers are
nation. His too-brief presidency, from 1994 mala and Venezuela have overtaken South fleeing farms, thus depressing agricultural
to 1999, was remarkable for its harmony. Africa as the most murderous nations of output and making South Africa poorer
Thabo Mbeki, anointed to succeed him, the globe, it still scores among the notori- than before.
denied HIV-AIDS, flirted with various ous top five or six civilian-killing places South Africa’s deteriorating educa-
“alternative” cures for the viral disease in the world. In 2013, 47 South Africans tional system hardly provides the basis on
and — crucially — allowed corruption to were murdered each day, roughly 32 per which young Africans can emerge capable
flourish. Regarded as imperious and dis- 100,000 citizens annually. Rapes are all too of replacing deprived circumstances with
dainful of parish politics, he was ousted in common, officially totalling 99 per 100,000 new kinds of lives and fortunes. The sta-
UN photo

a palace coup by Zuma and others in 2007, nationwide in 2014-15. However, the tistics are harsh: Only about half of the
when South Africa was still relatively well-regarded South African Institute of Africans who finish high school and sit

diplomat and international canada 63

Di spatche s | A frica

the compulsory matriculation examina- Africa’s Corruption Watch organization, of significant reversals of official policy.
tion ever pass. They are therefore denied there are at least 1,000 crooked school Yet often, the ANC government pays the
school completion certificates and, in ef- principals, some of whom have walked off courts little heed. When a lower court
fect, are unemployable in crowded urban with cash meant to provide textbooks and ordered Zuma to detain visiting President
job markets. More telling, in some ways: food for their pupils. Many teachers turn Omar al-Bashir of the Sudan in late 2015
only 12 percent of the 500,000 Africans up drunk. Many fail to show, and very because of an outstanding International
who try to “matriculate” each year score few appear on Fridays, instead beginning Criminal Court indictment, Zuma let
highly enough to qualify for university their weekends early. Officials of the pow- Bashir quickly fly home from a govern-
training. One recent study of how well erful teachers’ union have been charged ment airbase.
students across the globe performed in with selling access to comfortable school Zuma’s and the ANC’s legitimacy will
science and mathematics ranked South positions. be tested electorally in May or June, when
Africa next to last. Two of its older univer- Corruption is everywhere, certainly at elections at the local level are scheduled.
sities are ranked among the best in Africa, the highest ANC levels. But the stench of The ANC kept its parliamentary major-
the remainder far lower. corruption also pervades most munici- ity with a reduced 62 percent vote in the
South Africa, having dismissed or re- palities beyond the non-ANC-run Western 2014 parliamentary elections, down from
tired a cohort of white (mostly Afrikaans- Cape Province. The police, the National 66 percent five years before. The liberal
speaking) civil servants and artisans in Prosecuting Authority, the Health Profes- Democratic Alliance (DA) increased its
the years after independence in 1994, now sions Council and most dealings between total to 22 percent and the militant Eco-
suffers a massive skills shortage. Approxi- government and citizens are riddled with nomic Freedom Fighters won six percent.
mately 800,000 positions — from accoun- corruption. Some years ago, parliamen- Given its decreasing legitimacy, the ANC
tants to plumbers — are said to be vacant fears it will lose control of a number of
and effectively unfillable despite the very major cities, including Johannesburg and
large pool of unemployed Africans. The Port Elizabeth. (The DA already runs Cape
Economist reports that a key reason South Town.) There could be a decisive turn
Africa under Zuma is so short of electrical against the ANC, and thus against Zuma
power and Eskom so badly run is, first, (whose term runs to 2019).
that a cadre of experienced engineers was If the ANC loses massively, testifying
replaced by unqualified African political clearly to its forfeiture of legitimacy and
appointees, and second, that the ANC dominance, it could easily regard Zuma
insisted on installing party hacks in senior as a liability and force him to retire early.
positions. “You don’t deploy cadres to That could promote Deputy President
play on the national football [soccer] team, Cyril Ramaphosa, a former trade union
so why do you deploy them to Eskom?” a leader and anti-apartheid campaigner
senior African reputedly pleaded, unsuc- who became wealthy as an empowered
cessfully, with Zuma. elite. Or the ANC might overlook Rama-
The same incompetency prevails in the phosa (from a minority ethnic group) and
700 other state-owned corporations, espe- choose someone else much more sympa-
cially those under the aegis of Transnet, thetic to Zuma (and prepared to protect
the overseer of harbours, rail transit and him from retribution). Ramaphosa is
the money-losing South African Airways. capable of restoring a Mandela-like legiti-
(China recently promised big loans to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is capable of macy within the ANC and South Africa,
shore up Transnet and Eskom, but that restoring a Mandela-like legitimacy within the but those who prefer the wages of corrup-
funding and some experts from China ANC and South Africa. tion and naked power may prevent such a
may arrive too late for major rescues of a return to stability and progress. If so, Man-
collapsing infrastructure.) tarians were accused of padding their dela’s legacy of integrity and inclusivity
travel allowances. More recently, Zuma’s will continue to be thwarted and denied.
School principals who steal cash earmarked example has emboldened many of his sub- Only someone of Ramaphosa’s stature
for students' books and food ordinates to abuse their public positions and ability, heading a rejuvenated and
Despite lapsing legitimacy and protests for blatant private gain. Because the Office reformed ANC, could restore South Africa
over service delivery failures, cabinet of the Public Protector, an ombudsman, to its rightful position of leadership within
ministers, Zuma and civil servants have was publicly critical of illegal spending Africa in the second and third decades of
The presidency of republic of South Africa

enjoyed fat pay raises and increased per- on Zuma’s retirement villa, her office has the 21st Century. Absent a Ramaphosa,
quisites. The number of civil servants has since been starved of funds. South Africa’s national performance will
grown by 25 percent since 2000; a whop- Only a still mostly free press, a handful continue to deprive its people of beneficial
ping 20 percent of all employed Africans of private radio and TV stations and South outcomes, and an Africa of integrity and
work for the central government, its nine Africa’s Constitutional Court prevent positive developmental advances.
provinces or its municipalities. Zuma’s South Africa from regressing to
But even those who have gainful gov- the distressing African weak governance Robert I. Rotberg is a fellow at the Wood-
ernment employment bemoan how little mean. Many judges on the constitutional row Wilson International Center, senior
is accomplished. Health services have and lower courts still uphold the rule of fellow at the Centre for International
declined, but it is the schools, on which law and despite ANC verbal attacks, the Governance Innovation and founding
Africans depend for their advancement, Constitutional Court often rules against director of Harvard's Kennedy School
that infuriate parents. According to South the executive. There have been a number program on intrastate conflict.

64 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

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Di spatche s | Taiwan — a new path

Taiwanese President Tsai’s to-do list

By Robert D’A. Henderson

U
nprecedented election results in
January have produced unprec-
edented options for Taiwanese
President-elect Tsai Ing-wen in domestic
politics, international trade and cross-
strait relations with Mainland China.
For the third time, the opposition
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won
the presidency, with Tsai winning 56 per-
cent of the popular vote. The long-ruling
nationalist party (Kuomintang or KMT)
candidate, Eric Chu, won 31 percent.
But, for the first time, the DPP also won
a majority in the legislative branch — the
Legislative Yuan (LY), which had continu-
ously been dominated by a KMT majority.
While media attention has focused on the
presidential contest, the DPP control of the
LY will likely have greater impact on both
domestic political activities and cross-
strait relations with Mainland China.
Since Feb. 1, 2016, the DPP’s 68-seat
majority has had control of the 113-seat LY,
while the KMT has been reduced to just 35
seats. Under the revised Republic of China
(ROC) Constitution, Tsai will not assume The Taiwanese government and the Chinese Communist Party hold similar claims to the Spratly
office until May 20, when she will replace and Paracel islands in the South China Sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei have
the current president, Ma Ying-jeou. competing claims on these island chains.
In her first remarks in January, Tsai
stated: “Our democratic system, national to note that “the DPP will not follow the power to appoint the government premier
identity and international space must be established approach [of the Ma adminis- and cabinet ministers. Tsai does not need
respected.” This view is supported by tration].” Rather, the Taiwan public’s will to consider a new cabinet line-up until
her repeated statements during the elec- and democracy should be the new gov- April, when she can simply call for letters
tion campaign that she would maintain ernment’s “two pillars” in formulating a of resignation from all serving ministers
the “status quo” of cross-strait relations, cross-strait policy and if the party deviates — and then appoint (or reappoint) those
rather than overturning the departing from these two pillars, it “cannot expect its she wants in her cabinet.
Ma’s policies. platform to be stable for very long.” More important, DPP lawmakers have
This election was not a popular refer- Earlier in her June 2015 visit to the control of the LY for the first time. This has
endum on Taiwanese independence, but United States, as well as during the elec- relegated KMT members to a small minor-
rather on growing cross-strait economic tion campaign, Tsai repeatedly stated her ity, also for the first time in ROC history.
integration with the Chinese mainland — support for “maintaining the ‘status quo’” In addition to the DPP and KMT seats,
integration that could, in the future, lead in cross-strait relations — by promoting the new and young-leaning New Power
to political integration. As DPP Secretary- a cross-strait policy in accordance with Party has five seats, pushing the People
General Joseph Wu has said: “The cross- the ROC constitutional system and the First Party to fourth-party status with
strait issue was not a salient issue in the public’s will. While continuing cross-strait three seats. Independents hold two seats.
campaign and therefore was not the issue “peace and stability” based on consulta- This party structure will become impor-
defining the election result.” tions and exchanges over the previous two tant for a number of political issues. First,
Even so, in a Feb. 17 statement, DPP decades, Tsai has stated that cross-strait newly elected LY President Su Jia-chyuan
spokesman Wang Min-sheng explained relations would be “consistent, predictable (DPP) has already stated there is a series
that Tsai has clearly said that she would and sustainable” after her inauguration. of reforms under consideration for boost-
follow the public’s will, abide by demo- ing public participation and transparency
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cratic principles and insist on safeguard- Working with a DPP majority in the legislature.
ing the Taiwanese people’s options for Under the ROC constitution, the president Another issue is passing Cross-Strait
their future. The DPP statement went on is elected for a four-year term and has the Agreement Oversight legislation. Accord-

66 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 Taiwan — a new path |Di s patche s

ing to DPP Secretary-General Joseph Wu, boost supply-chain exports.

the passing of this oversight legislation At present, there are three major multi-
would be a “top priority” for the DPP- country trading blocs being formed in
led legislature during its first 100 days. the Asia-Pacific Region: the Trans-Pacific
Such legislation was a major demand of Partnership (TPP), the China-led Regional
Sunflower Movement protesters in 2014, Comprehensive Economic Partnership
when they occupied the LY to block pas- (RCEP) and the ASEAN Economic Com-
sage of the controversial Cross-Strait munity (AEC). Each of these groupings
Service Trade Agreement (CSSTA) with — with some overlapping country mem-
Mainland China. The agreement would berships — seeks to enhance regional
have opened up the island’s service businesses, trade and economies, though Specialists
industries to mainland investment and with different degrees of economic in-
businesses. The protesters argued that tegration. To push Taiwan’s inclusion in Diamonds,
agreements like the CSSTA deal had been in such trading blocs, Tsai has already
done without public oversight or input. announced plans to set up a dedicated Engagement Rings
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with the New Power Party (NPP), could The TPP agreement is attempting to -Since 1977-
achieve the super majority needed to harmonize trade-regulatory structures and
amend existing legislation. But to change build a regional digital economy between
the ROC constitution would require a developed economies on the Pacific Rim,
three-fourths LY vote. Taiwan also has a to establish protections for intellectual
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Mainland China, which still claims Taiwan ber Asian economies. It is scheduled for
as part of its sovereign territory. completion by November 2016 and aims
to lower tariffs and eliminate non-tariff
Increasing international trade barriers. Two of the RCEP members —
Taiwan is basically an export economy Singapore and New Zealand — are also
that has increasingly been integrated into TPP signatory members and have sepa-
Mainland China’s economy — with an rately signed free-trade agreements with
estimated US $1.3 billion in Taiwanese in- Taiwan. By negotiating trade regulatory
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as part of supply-chain exports world- Taiwan is better prepared for future nego-
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wide. But as China’s economy has slowed tiations and for applying for membership
down, so has Taiwan’s. in these trading blocs — when and if the
One method for increasing Taiwan’s opportunity arises. Similarly, Taiwan’s
international market is through member- trading agreement with Singapore further
ship in international trade and regulatory harmonizes its trade relations regionally
agreements — or at least by revising Tai- as Singapore is an ASEAN member and a
wan’s own regulatory and administrative signatory to the 2010 ASEAN-China Free
structures to ensure that its exports are Trade Area agreement.
not restricted in those markets. The ROC The AEC is seeking economic integra-
government under Ma eased restrictions tion of ASEAN member countries into
on more than 860 laws and regulations to a single market and production base to
achieve greater trade liberalization — and boost its competitiveness in world trade.
fast-tracked implementation of the new
free economic pilot zones on the island to
Building on its free-trade agreement with
Singapore, Taiwan will need to increase
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diplomat and international canada 67
Di spatche s | Taiwan — a new path

its economic ties and production links to which an estimated US $5 trillion in in-
Singapore and other ASEAN countries ternational ship-borne trade passes every
to maintain and grow its role as a major year. While Ma had proposed a joint South
supply-chain country for Asia. China Sea resource development initiative
without deciding on the sovereignty issue,
The “One China” principle Tsai will need to decide whether to pursue
“Stable and transparent” cross-strait this initiative or just maintain control of
relations between the democratic ROC- the islands under the ROC administration.
Taiwan and the communist People’s Re- This could become a major international
public of China are complex. The Chinese issue during her term of office.
Communist Party (CCP) government in
Beijing claims sovereignty over the island More international space for Taiwan
and refuses to renounce the use of force Taiwan has formal diplomatic relations
for its claim — even while the mainland with only 22 countries worldwide, as a
and the island are increasingly becoming result of the continuing pressure from
economically integrated. Mainland China for foreign countries to
Since its creation in 1949, the CCP gov- cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan. But Tai-
ernment has consistently insisted that the wan continues to work toward full mem-
“Taiwan issue” is an internal affair under bership — or at least observer status — in
the “One China” principle. Between 2008 Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen intergovernmental organizations, particu-
and 2016, the KMT-led ROC government larly regulatory groups, such as the World
under Ma supported the so-called 1992 Taiwanese businesspeople based on the Health Organization, the International
consensus that accepted that there was mainland fear economic relations could be Civil Aviation Organization, Interpol and
one China, with each side of the Taiwan harmed under the DPP. others, that don’t require statehood. The
Strait having its own interpretation of the Fourth, how will Beijing react? To date, incoming government will need support
concept. This CCP-KMT rapprochement statements issued by China have implic- from key governments such as the United
lowered tensions and set the stage for itly and explicitly said the Taiwan issue is States, Britain, Japan, Canada, Australia
more than 20 agreements on cross-strait an internal one and warned against calls and the European Union in this quest.
regulatory interactions, trade, air flights for independence. In a recent speech in
and tourism, among others. Washington, D.C., Chinese Foreign Minis- Prospects for Canada-Taiwan relations
Last November, Ma and Chinese Presi- ter Wang Yi said China does not care “who This year, China and Taiwan have a num-
dent Xi Jin-ping's historic handshake in is in power in the Taiwan region of China ber of key issues to pursue in bilateral
Singapore symbolized this lessening of … what we care about is, once someone relations. Wu Rong-chuan — Taipei Eco-
tensions after more than five decades of has come into power, how he or she han- nomic and Cultural Office Representative
hostility. For Tsai, it will be important to dles the cross-strait relationship.” in Ottawa — has pointed to priorities in
maintain this reduced level of tension. The Beijing government continues to re- promoting trade and investment, people-
But a number of issues will arise in the fuse to renounce the use of force towards to-people exchanges, diaspora re-engage-
coming months and years. First, within Taiwan — including an estimated 1,200 ment and continued co-operation between
the DPP party, there will continue to be short- and medium-range missiles aimed Taiwanese and Canadian NGOs.
discourse for a “declaration of indepen- at the island. It also has other means of Also, it would be advantageous for
dence” for Taiwan. This would likely pressuring Taiwan, such as reducing tour- Taiwan to work toward harmonizing its
require a change to the ROC constitution, ist numbers, restricting investments and trade and regulatory structures with those
which states the Mainland and Taiwan holding military exercises near the Taiwan of Canada — and the other TPP signa-
belong to One China. And Tsai will have Strait. Chinese media report the number tories — as this would assist democratic
to decide if and when she will make an of Chinese tourists permitted to travel Taiwan’s efforts to apply for membership
official policy statement on this issue — to Taiwan will be reduced in the coming in the TPP in the future. Many of the TPP
bearing in mind that Taiwan exercises months, which is concerning for Taiwan as signatories are Taiwan’s major trading
sovereign powers over the island and its it's been a major source of revenue during partners, including the United States and
adjacent areas. She has stated that this is- the current economic downturn. Japan, and, like Canada, all have signed
sue must take into account the wishes of And finally, Taiwan under Tsai will still the agreement with ratification pending.
the Taiwanese people. rely upon the U.S. for defence support, For Taiwan, there are a number of is-
Next, with the DPP holding a majority including the purchase of high-tech weap- sues — domestic, international and cross-
of LY seats, the proposed oversight legisla- onry under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act. strait — that could create a rocky path
tion on cross-strait agreements will likely ahead for Tsai and her DPP government.
pass. What is in question is whether such “Peace and stability” in South China Sea
legislative overview will be retroactive to The Taiwanese government and the CCP Robert D’A. Henderson is a retired
the already signed agreements. government hold similar claims to the professor of international relations who
Third, Tsai is likely to reduce Taiwan’s Spratly Islands and Paracel Islands in the currently does international assessments
excessive economic dependence on Main- South China Sea — with each thought to and international elections monitoring.
land China through widening its global have significant undersea resources as Among his recent writings is “China
market and developing new economic well as ocean fisheries. Vietnam, the Phil- — Great Power Rising” in the Routledge
partnerships with Pacific Rim countries. ippines, Malaysia and Brunei also have Handbook of Diplomacy and Statecraft (Lon-
But there are already media reports that claims on these island chains, through don and New York).

68 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 M igrant and refugee crisis |Di s patche s

Greece coping with refugee crisis

By George L. Marcantonatos

Syrian refugees arrive on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey.

P
opulation displacement and its re- After being disproportionately bur- a boat from the Turkish coast, search and
sulting migration is, as we know, a dened, Greece, which is situated at the rescue operations are activated.
complex issue and one of the major EU’s external border, continues to do its My country believes we must address
challenges the European Union is cur- utmost to rescue refugees fleeing war this issue in terms of humanitarianism
rently facing. The intense migratory and after their perilous journey in the Aegean and human rights because these principles
refugee flows Greece has experienced for Sea. To date, Greece has rescued 150,000 are the basis of civilization in Europe and
years have reached unprecedented levels people from the waters of the Aegean. My in Greece.
in the last several months. country has put tremendous effort into For years now, Greece has been un-
Since January 2015, more than 950,000 rescuing those people in need and receiv- derscoring the need for co-ordinated
© UNHCR/Ivor Prickett

refugees and migrants have entered ing them in a humane way on our front- European action with regard to the man-
Greece. Average daily arrivals from Tur- line islands, with the aid and mobilization agement of the refugee and migration
key to Greece stood at 2,186 in January of the local population. crisis.
2016 alone. The limits of our infrastructure Sea borders do not in any way resemble The refugee crisis has revealed the
to receive those refugees are constantly land borders. No fence can be erected. limits and shortcomings of the Dub-
being tested. Once refugees and migrants embark on lin Regulation in its present form. The

diplomat and international canada 69

Di spatche s | M igrant and refugee crisis

regulation, as it currently stands, places a community must work intensively and resettlement and humanitarian admission
disproportionate burden on the countries constructively to find a peaceful, just and process directly from Turkey to the EU.
of first entry. Frontline countries of the democratic political solution. We need to focus on ensuring EU ac-
EU have been stressing this all along. The We will either develop a common tion and support when dealing with the
regulation should be thoroughly reviewed policy to deal with the crisis, or the crisis continued and sustained irregular migrant
and entirely overhauled in order to cre- will overwhelm us and become existential flows along the Western Balkans’ route,
ate a genuine burden-sharing system that for the EU. Taking unilateral measures including the establishment of adequate
would allocate asylum-seekers on the ba- and closing borders has a direct impact on reception capacity, while avoiding unilat-
sis of objective criteria. Greece, resulting in the concentration of eral and unco-ordinated measures. Imple-
The hotspots on Lesbos, Chios, Samos
and Leros, as well as two relocation cen-
tres on the mainland (Athens and Thes-
saloniki) are fully operational. Kos will be
fully operational shortly. Greece will re-
spect its commitment to increase its recep-
tion capacity to 50,000 places and, by May,
we will add an additional 5,000 places to
those that already exist.
Everyone acknowledges that the size
of the current refugee and migration crisis
greatly exceeds the management capa-
bilities of any one state and is, therefore, a
global issue.

A just solution to the crisis

There are many who claim, albeit from
a safe distance, that had they been in
Greece’s position, they would have all
the solutions ready, all the questions
answered, all the necessary structures in
place to deal with the unprecedented “tsu-
nami” of refugees and migrants.
While these critics continue to live in Nojeen, a16-year-old Syrian refugee, who uses a wheelchair due to a balance problem, waits to be
a virtual reality, Greece and the Greek lifted to the road. She and her older sister landed on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing from
people are seeing life on the front line and Turkey, in hopes of finding better medical care. Greek authorities are looking after her.
representing Europe and European values
to the world. significant numbers of migrants on Greek mentation of extreme measures will lead
The primary costs of managing the ref- territory, while neither the relocation pro- to a humanitarian crisis in Greece.
ugee and migrant influxes are estimated at gram nor returns are working adequately Greece insists, and will continue to
more than 1.5 billion euros in a state that or efficiently. insist, on European principles. And while
is concurrently going through an unprec- Greece welcomes the recent conclusion it is shouldering the bulk of the burden
edented fiscal adjustment. And that does of the European Council and reiterates its of the refugee crisis — the root causes
not include the indirect expenses incurred commitment to fully implement the rel- for which it bears no responsibility — it
and the profits that have been lost due to evant decisions. remains a factor for stability and peace in
the refugee and migration crisis. We all recognize that Turkey is under the region.
Greece has always supported the devel- a great deal of pressure, already hosting Despite the ongoing financial and social
opment of a common and integrated Eu- more than two million refugees. None- constraints facing my country, our public
ropean policy for the management of the theless, it is a key country which could opinion has been sympathetic to and sup-
EU’s external border. Member states and stem the flows to the EU’s southeastern portive of the refugees, in a manner that
EU institutions must make every effort to borders. The reality is that it is on Turkish corresponds to our ethics and culture.
ensure that this European policy is insti- soil that migratory flows can be effectively Finally, Greek authorities have been act-
tutionally sound, functional and effective. checked and managed. Once the refugees ing with humanity, always under strained
Moreover, it is obvious that this crisis and migrants are able to embark from conditions, but always respecting inter-
is not only an urgent European problem, Turkish soil, it is already too late. national law and fundamental European
but also a global one. The great European In managing the refugee and migrant values.
challenge with regard to refugee issues crisis, we mGreust take urgent action to The time has arrived, at long last, to
lies in shaping a co-ordinated state of af- dismantle smuggling and human traffick- work and co-operate more effectively on
© UNHCR/Ivor Prickett

fairs in the refugees’ countries of origin, ing networks, with special emphasis on the solution to the problem, for the benefit
in countries the refugees move through, unaccompanied minors. In this regard, we of the refugees themselves, but also for the
and, of course, in EU countries. Greece’s have to recognize that since last Septem- benefit of our values and our civilization.
position is that we need to address the ber, more than 340 children have drowned
root causes of the problem and that the at sea. At the same time, it is necessary George L. Marcantonatos is Greece’s am-
whole of the EU and the international to proceed swiftly to activate the refugee bassador to Canada.

70 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

diplomat and international canada 71
Di spatche s | I ran

Iran sanctions relaxed:

Opportunities and risks
By John W. Boscariol and Robert A. Glasgow

I
n early February, Global Affairs Min-
ister Stéphane Dion announced that
Canada had amended its economic
sanctions against Iran. This implements
the Liberal government’s response to the
January determination by the Interna-
tional Atomic Energy Agency that Iran
has met the requirements for sanctions
relief to begin under the Joint Compre-
hensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
A number of Canada’s allies, including
the European Union, the United States,
Australia and Japan, have already an-
nounced that they would lift economic
sanctions against Iran to varying degrees.
Canadian firms, especially those in the oil
and gas, aerospace, mining, automotive,
financial services and high-tech sectors,
should be carefully assessing the emerging
trade and investment opportunities in Iran
to ensure full compliance with the remain-
ing patchwork of sanctions and export
control measures.
Until the February announcement,
Canada maintained a broad trade embargo
against Iran, including supply and sourcing
bans and prohibitions against providing or
acquiring financial services to, from or for
the benefit of persons in Iran. These mea-
sures also included prohibitions against
engaging in activities with any of the more
than 600 individuals and entities that were
classified as “designated persons.”
Canada has made significant revisions IAEA director general Yukiya Amano and Iranian Vice-President Ali Akhbar Salehi sign a roadmap for
to the list of designated persons, now the clarification of past and present issues regarding Iran’s nuclear program in Vienna.
referred to as “listed persons,” who are
subject to a general asset freeze and trans- Canada’s Regulations Implementing the ing it with a prohibition on supplying
action ban. The number of listed individu- United Nations Resolutions on Iran. goods and technology, which lists 41
als has been halved, from 83 to 41. The categories of items commonly used in
number of listed entities has been reduced Trade embargo liberalization nuclear, biological and chemical weapons
from 530 to only 161. The trade embargo has been substantially programs, including certain centrifuges,
However, there have also been addi- liberalized. The prohibitions against mak- autoclaves, fibrous or filamentary materi-
tions to the list of sanctioned persons and ing investments in Iran, restricting port als, gamma-ray spectrometers and spe-
entities. Canada has followed the course services to Iranian vessels, or providing cialty metals.
of action taken by the United States in flagging or classification services to Ira- Canadian companies also need to re-
placing restrictions on Iran’s ballistic mis- nian oil tankers or cargo vessels have all view the remaining restrictions in place
sile program. To that end, Canada has been completely repealed. Also repealed under Canada’s Regulations Implement-
added six individuals and one entity to its are the prohibitions against importing or ing the United Nations Resolutions on
list of sanctioned persons. purchasing any goods from Iran and the Iran. These relate to activities involving
D.Calma/IAEA

The United Nations’ list of designated blanket financial services ban. nuclear proliferation, military and conven-
persons has also been significantly re- Canada has lifted the general supply tional arms programs and ballistic missile
duced. These changes are also reflected in ban by repealing that section and replac- development.

72 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 iran |Di s patche s

Export controls
Canadian corporations must remain
vigilant regarding the need to obtain ap-
propriate export permits under the Export
and Import Permits Act for any goods
or technology listed on Canada’s Export
Control List (ECL). Even though trade
with Iran is now possible, the Canada Bor-
der Services Agency will likely continue
to scrutinize exports to Iran to ensure
compliance with economic sanctions and
export controls.
For exports or transfers of ECL-con-
trolled items to Iran, the government has
issued a notice to exporters (No. 196.) This
notice clarifies the policy of the Export
Controls Division that, while all permits A heavy water reactor in Arak, Iran.
for transfers of controlled items to Iran
will be considered, those for certain sensi- U.S. embargo remains largely intact potentially applicable trade control mea-
tive items will likely be denied. The denial U.S. sanctions relief has been mostly con- sures, including:
list includes items from each ECL Group. fined to “secondary sanctions,” namely • d etermining whether the proposed
This includes certain dual-use items, all sanctions placed on non-U.S. persons. The transactions involve any goods, ser-
items on the munitions list, the nuclear U.S. embargo remains in effect and it is vices and technology prohibited under
non-proliferation list and nuclear-related still illegal to clear transactions involving the special economic measures (Iran)
dual-use list. Missile technology is also on Iranian persons or entities through U.S. regulations or listed on Canada’s ECL
the denial list, other than certain specifi- financial institutions. The embargo will be (including all U.S.-origin goods and
cally enumerated components. subject to new exceptions for carpets, food- technology);
Although the government’s notice stuffs and aircraft parts and maintenance. • determining whether the activities in-
makes no mention of U.S.-origin items, The United States has also issued a volve any entities or individuals black-
it is important to note that all goods or licence that authorizes certain transac- listed under Canada’s autonomous or
technology of U.S. origin, regardless of tions with Iran by U.S.-owned foreign af- UN-based sanctions measures; and
sensitivity, to be exported or transferred filiates and subsidiaries that are otherwise • a ssessing whether the opportunities
to Iran require a permit from the Export prohibited for U.S. persons under the involve any connections with the U.S. or
Controls Division. Any proposed transfer continuing embargo. Certain transactions EU, such that their sanctions might ap-
to Iran of such items should be carefully continue to be forbidden for U.S.-owned ply, including the involvement of goods,
reviewed by Canadian companies prior to foreign affiliates, including the export or services or technology from those juris-
transfer to determine whether a permit is re-export of U.S. goods and services, trans- dictions or U.S. or EU nationals.
necessary. ferring funds through, to, or from the U.S. With international economic sanctions
financial system, engaging in transactions falling away, Iran’s re-entry into the world
EU sanctions eased with individuals on the list of specially economy presents significant opportuni-
The EU has relaxed its prohibitions on a designated nationals (SDN) or foreign ties for Canadian businesses across the
wide variety of transactions with Iran, in- sanctions evaders list, engaging in trans- range of sectors listed above. For example,
cluding those with the Iranian oil and gas actions with any military, paramilitary, Dion said in January that Bombardier
sector, provision of engineering and main- intelligence or law enforcement officials would be allowed to do business with Iran
tenance services to cargo aircraft, supply or agents of Iran, or activity proscribed in order to compete with Airbus, a Euro-
services to Iranian vessels and related ser- under certain elements of the U.S. sanc- pean company. Numerous sources, includ-
vices. The EU has also lifted restrictions on tions regime. ing officials in the Italian government,
certain financial services, including prohi- In either case, neither the U.S. nor the have indicated that Airbus is already
bitions on trading in Iranian government EU has completely removed Iranian enti- engaged in negotiations to sell more than
bonds and prohibiting insurance and ties or individuals from their respective 100 planes to Iranian airlines following
re-insurance in Iran or to Iranian persons. blacklists of designated nationals. In par- sanctions relief.
However, certain EU prohibitions, ticular, the U.S. recently added additional Those firms that understand and miti-
while they have technically been re- Iranians to the U.S. Office of Foreign Asset gate the risks that arise from economic
moved, have been replaced with a prior Control’s SDN list in response to an Ira- sanctions measures that remain in place
authorization and licensing scheme. Such nian ballistic missile test. Others remain- will have a competitive advantage in
authorizations would be in the hands of ing under sanction include entities and pursuing these trade and investment op-
the individual member states of the EU, individuals with close ties to the IRGC portunities.
some of which may be more forthcom- and the Quds Force, in particular.
ing than others. In particular, dealings in This piece is reprinted with permission.
dual-use equipment — equipment having The path ahead John W. Boscariol is a partner and Robert
Nanking2012

both military and civilian uses — precious Canadian companies considering busi- A. Glasgow is an associate in the Interna-
metals, diamonds and graphite have been ness opportunities in Iran should review tional Trade and Investment Law Group
targeted as needing prior authorization. and consider the remaining patchwork of at McCarthy Tétrault’s Toronto office.

diplomat and international canada 73

D ELI GHT S | b oo k s

Revisionism revisited

George
Fetherling

A
s it happened, Ronald C. Rosbottom,
a professor of French culture at
Amherst College in New England,
was in Paris on Jan. 7, 2015, the day of the
terrorist attack on the offices of Charlie
Hebdo. A bit of bad luck, one might say,
but perhaps a bit of good luck as well, for
Rosbottom is the author of When Paris
Went Dark: The City of Light Under German
Occupation, 1940–1944 (Hachette Canada,
$31), a social and political history of the
city’s takeover by the Nazis. There are,
of course, a number of fine books on this
subject. Rosbottom’s distinguishes itself
by relying not only on memoirs and of-
ficial documents, but also on the pop
culture of that time and place, including
movies, songs, drawings, posters and
the like. If satirical publications such as
Charlie Hebdo had existed in Paris 76 years
ago, Rosbottom would be putting them to
good use now.
We all should remember the broad
outlines of what happened in June 1940.
Having already overrun territories else-
where in Europe, the Germans pointed After his army rolled into Paris, Hitler himself showed up and had his picture taken in front of the
their claws westward, with the ultimate Eiffel Tower. He is shown here, centre, with architect Albert Speer, left, and Arno Breker, right.
goal of vanquishing Britain and then at-
tacking North America. They easily broke more smoothly than anyone had a right zis, at least not officially or all at once.
through the Maginot Line, the series of to expect. The city was full of soldiers, of Their Occupied Zone took up nearly all
fixed fortifications that the French had course. Most of them made up the new of northern France and the entire Atlantic
erected as though the Great War and the garrison of 20,000, but others used Paris coast from Spain to Belgium. Southern
Spanish Civil War had taught them noth- in somewhat the way American troops France was the Free Zone, also known as
ing about air power. To put the matter used Bangkok and Hong Kong during the Vichy France after the city that served as US National Archives and Records Administration
concisely, the Nazis essentially just rolled Vietnam War: as a respite from combat, in the seat of the Nazis’ puppet government.
into Paris (strolled, one might almost say), this case combat with the Russians on the Vichy was formed in 1942 (and shared the
seemingly acting as much like flâneurs Eastern Front. They were issued booklets map with a chunk of the country taken
as conquérants. No shots were fired, and showing how to navigate the Métro and over by the Italian fascists). By that time,
many Parisians welcomed the Nazis with how to deal with the locals (who, for their the persecution of Jews had worsened by
cheers and huzzahs (while others joined part, had pamphlets with tips for avoiding calculated increments. Jewish businesses
the underground Resistance movement). difficulties with the Germans). This odd had to display yellow signs reading Entre-
Hitler himself arrived in Paris, a place period of mutual unease, which Rosbot- prise Juive. Then Jews were forbidden to
whose cityscape even he had always ad- tom calls “the Minuet,” began to unravel own or even manage businesses, to study
mired. He had his picture taken with the seriously in September 1941 when food in universities, to practise law, medicine
Eiffel Tower, the way people do. He also rationing was instituted. From that point and the other professions or to own a ra-
visited Napoleon’s tomb — of course. onwards, the situation quickly turned very dio or a bicycle. Their bank accounts and
For the first two years or so of the Oc- dark indeed. safe deposit boxes were confiscated, and
cupation, daily life in Paris went along Not all of France was held by the Na- then the truly terrible part got under way.

74 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 B OO K S |D E L I G HT S

Deportation of Jews begins in camps in Germany.) When France was

Working with Vichy police and militias, free again, the search was on for civilians
the Nazis began deporting Jews en masse who had taken the easy road and helped
in a series of rafles or roundups. At the the Germans in various ways, large and
end of June 1942, Adolf Eichmann arrived small. De Gaulle called them “a hand-
in Paris to commence “the final solution.” ful of scoundrels,” but that was hardly FULL SERVICE REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE
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came to an end — in fact, but certainly not  PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
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Rosbottom introduces himself to the

PH6-489 SUSSEX DR
reader by saying he does not “claim the
mantle of historian but rather of storyteller
and guide.” This is fair enough, but overly
modest. He does a fine job on his primary
task of re-creating the rhythms of Parisian
life during the 50 months of German rule.
To do so, he must also write about the
French underground guerrilla movement

For Sale
that rose up in the city and throughout the

6 FARNHAM CR
nation, driving the Nazis mad with bomb-
ings, sabotage, assassinations, booby-traps
and other such activities. He must likewise

$1,700,000.
deal with the Free French government-
in-exile that Gen. Charles de Gaulle, the
future French president, ran from London.
All these are highly controversial topics in
France to this day.

For Sale
The bitterness and rancour took hold

11 ELECTRIC AVE
the moment the Nazis were driven out.
A few days after his triumphal return, de fathered by German soldiers. Even women
Gaulle, who led his own forces in the Nor- not accused of such collaboration horizon-

$942,000.
mandy invasion, addressed a huge crowd tale, but only of mild fraternization, had
of Parisians from the city hall steps. He their heads shaved by angry mobs who
said: “Paris liberated! Liberated by its own then paraded them through the streets.
efforts, liberated by its people with the (They were the lucky ones.) Male col-

For Sale
help of the armies of France, with the help laborators of various sorts were frequently

125B DRUMMOND ST
of all of France.” To put it mildly, he with- just shot in the head by veterans of the
held praise for the Americans, the Rus- resistance.
sians and the others who did the heavy

$890,000.
work, and minimized the contribution Underground tales
of — indeed the very makeup of — the Almost at once, people who felt at least
underground resistants. sheepish and more likely totally humili-
When the Nazis got serious about their ated by the way they'd been dominated
occupation, they encouraged people to began to create a glorious folklore around 9 MURRAY ST, OTTAWA ON K1N 9M5
ADMIN@CALDWELL-REALTY .CA
give them the names of fellow citizens the brave Resistance veterans. Every so
OFFICE: 613-744-5525
who were invisibly assimilated Jews or often as the years rolled on, someone
anyone who was thought to be undermin- would challenge the accepted version DIONNE CALDWELL C: 613-277-7508
ing German authority. Citizens spread of almost-universal French bravery, and BROKER OF RECORD
lethal gossip and squealed on one another, the wound would be reopened again, as [email protected]

often for purely personal motives. The happened in the 1970s, for example, with BILL WELSH C: 613-816-1144
Nazis gathered large numbers of suspects the French film, The Sorrow and the Pity. PROPERTY MANAGER & SALES REPRESENTATIVE
[email protected]
who would never be heard from again. In In recent years, many francophone au-
the Southern Zone, such people were dealt thors (such as François Boulet or Philippe MARY LOU MARTIN-GERHARDS
with by the Vichy police (who, in a 1942 Bourrin), as well as anglophone ones (Ian SALES REPRESENTATIVE C: 613-698-7740
LGERHARDS@CALDWELL-REALTY .CA
purge called Le Grand Rafle, rounded up Ousby or Robert Gildea), have written
Jews as young as two years old). fresh revisionist books on the subject. Visit www.caldwell-realty.ca for
The nation had been humiliated when Gildea, an Oxford professor, has writ- a full list of available properties.
the French army was overrun so easily. ten more than one, in fact. His latest is
Follow us on
(Just before the war ’s end, there were Fighters in the Shadows: A New History of
still 1.5 million French PoWs being held the French Resistance (Harvard University

diplomat and international canada 75

D ELI GHT S | B OO K S

Press, US$35). The search for intelligent intelligence

Gildea’s argument, in brief, is that just I’ve always been wary of books writ-
as Charles de Gaulle downplayed the ten “with” someone besides the pur-
number of Nazi collaborationists, so too ported author. An example is The Great
did he distort the size, composition and War of Our Time: The CIA’s Fight Against
workings of the resistance movement, Terrorism from Al Qa’ida to ISIS by Michael
which was also called the Maquis (after a Morell (Hachette Canada, $31). Morell
tough Mediterranean shrub). De Gaulle’s is now a consultant and network televi-
retrospective version was that the move- sion explainer. Prior to that, he was vari-
ment included a significant percentage ously acting director or deputy director
of the population when, in fact, Gildea of the CIA, following Leon Panetta, who
writes, the most widespread civilian departed to be secretary of defence, and
response to the occupation was an atti- David Petraeus, who left in a sex scan-
tude of attentisme (“wait-and-see”). In de dal. The book is written “with” Bill
Gaulle’s mind, or vision, very nearly all Harlow, a former CIA public relations
resistants were French nationals — and executive. So what we get here are snip-
male. Forty thousand young French men pets of Morell’s autobiography, complete
— 80 percent of them under the age of 20 with school graduation pictures, and a
— did take part, but worked and fought not ill-informed defence of the agency’s
beside economic migrants and Jewish workings. Morell believes “more can
refugees from much of Europe, British and should be shared with the American
behind-the-lines experts from the Special people about what the agency does every
Operations Executive and, most of all, day” because popular culture creates dis-
hardened veterans of the Spanish Civil torted impressions. He calls one of these
War, a highly cosmopolitan bunch indeed, pop-cult stereotypes the Jack Ryan myth
including communists, liberals, unaligned (that the agency is invincible). Others are
anti-fascists and, of course, just plain ad- the Get Smart myth (that the agency is
venturers. One would look hard to find incompetent) and the Jason Bourne myth
stories of greater bravery than some of (that it is a rogue operation with its own
those in Gildea’s books. extra-governmental agenda). All of these,
Fighters in the Shadows is full of docu- Morell naturally says, are false.
ments, including rosters of many who
served and came to sad ends at the hands Afghanistan adieu
of the Nazis. A great number of the brave One thing Morell’s book does do is to
and noble ones — to judge from Gildea’s boldly imply, and yet in a between-the-
narrative, a disproportionate percent- lines sort of way as though the notion
age — were women, many of whose tales weren’t obvious, that we’re stuck not in a
will make you weep. De Gaulle did his series of disconnected wars, but a single
best to ignore their sacrifices. Only three continuous one against an enemy with
years ago were two of these resistantes numerous names and many theatres
permitted to be buried in the Panthéon, of operation. Each new episode in the
the traditional final resting place of sequence takes control of our attention,
France’s greatest heroes. One of them allowing us to almost forget the previous
was Geneviève de Gaulle. One wonders ones. One of the virtues of Farewell Kabul:
to what extent her late uncle would have From Afghanistan to a More Dangerous
approved. World by the British journalist Christina
Why is the above so important? With Lamb (HarperCollins Canada, $39.99) is
the terrorist attack on Paris on Nov. 13, that it vividly recounts and analyses the
2015, still ringing in our ears, the top- opening salvo of the allied invasion of Af-
selling, most controversial and serious ghanistan following the 9/11 attacks and
new book in France is Soumission, by one tracks the consequences through the next
of the country’s most famous and impor- 13 years, getting to know nearly everyone
tant literary figures, the novelist and poet — Afghan, American and British — of any
Michel Houellebecq. The image on the importance. In doing so, the author genu-
front is the fated issue of Charlie Hebdo. inely comes to love the people and the
Houellebecq’s English-language publisher culture in ways that few male correspon-
wasted no time in confirming that his dents seem to have done. She reminds one
company would push ahead with plans of Gloria Emerson of the New York Times,
for publishing an English translation by who had such a relationship with Viet-
Lorin Stein. It is available as you read this nam, publishing a wonderful book about
(Farrar, Straus & Giroux, $32). The book is it called Winners and Losers, and then com-
set in a France under Islamist rule. It is fic- mitting suicide in 2004 when Parkinson’s
tion. Let’s keep it that way. disease prevented her from writing more.

76 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 B OO K S |D E L I G HT S

Lamb quotes a famous remark by and the Foreign Policy Research Institute,
Harold Macmillan, the British prime takes a bold view of American strategy
minister (1957–63): “Rule number one (and to some extent diplomacy) in The
in politics is never invade Afghanistan.” Right Way to Lose a War: America in an Age
This statement arose from the crushing of Unwinnable Conflicts (Hachette Canada,
British defeats there in the 19th Century, $31). His thesis is this: Given that future
but the Russians failed to heed the advice wars are likely to be unconventional, dirty,
in the 20th. Lamb’s experience reporting low-down and regional or even local, and
the late stages of the Soviet fiasco in the thus not susceptible to the long-held U.S.
1980s prepared her to cover the American military patterns and procedures, it might
and allied invasion that began a month be time to rethink — once more — par-
after the Twin Towers were destroyed. ticipation in other people’s civil wars and
Her observations about the leaders of the regional conflicts.
western military and, to a lesser extent, With the exception of the Gulf War of
1991, the U.S. hasn’t had a clear victory
for 70 years. It has seen, however, several
somewhat productive stalemates, as in
Korea. The subtitle of Tierney’s previous
book, How We Fight: Crusades, Quagmires,
and the American Way of War sums up his
viewpoint neatly. To avoid being sucked
into quagmires, Washington should open
with a big surge, and once having made
the point, negotiate a workable agreement
that falls short of either outright victory or
outright defeat, and then go away (though
of course the other possible exit strategy
— wise when possible — is never to leave
home in the first place).

And briefly…
One of the subplots in Spectre, the most
recent James Bond film, has to do with the
idea of merging MI5, the British domestic
intelligence service, with the international
one, MI6. This struck me as odd until I
read John Le Carré: The Biography by Adam
the Afghan bureaucracy, are caustic, but Sisman (Knopf Canada, $36). For it turns
never smart-alecky — just bizarre. The out that Le Carré (real name: David Corn-
British defence minister of the day con- well), the author of such thrillers as The
fessed he couldn’t locate Afghanistan on Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker,
a map. Afghanistan’s energy minister Tailor, Soldier, Spy, belonged to both agen-
was dubbed the “minister of darkness” cies (though not at the same time). Then,
because there were often long stretches there are spies we’ve never heard of who
without electric power. The U.S. spent keep suddenly turning up from the past.
more than $3 million for patrol boats to The Ingenious Mr. Pyke by Henry Hem-
police the coastline of a country that is ming (Publishers Group Canada, $33.99)
landlocked. And so on. “How on Earth,” concerns a brilliant inventor and financier
she asks, looking back, “had the might of who came up with the notion of a com-
NATO, 48 countries with satellites in the bined U.S.-Canadian special forces group
skies, 140,000 troops dropping missiles in the Second World War, but turned out
the price of a Porsche, not managed to to be a highly placed Soviet agent. The
defeat a group of ragtag religious stu- Baroness Moura Budberg was a famous
dents led by a one-eyed mullah his own Russian author (and other things) in the
colleagues described as ‘dumb in the Bolshevik period. Her own bizarre story
mouth’?” Not that she hated the west- is told by Deborah McDonald and Jeremy
erners. Rather, she had come to love the Dronfield in A Very Dangerous Woman:
Afghans and their culture. The Lives, Loves and Lies of Russian’s Most
Seductive Spy (Publishers Group Canada,
Rethinking wars — again $29.99).
An American academic, Dominic Tierney,
whose résumé includes Oxford, the Ken- George Fetherling is a novelist and cul-
nedy School of Government at Harvard tural commentator.

diplomat and international canada 77

RedRocketAdoutilines.indd 1 12/4/2013 12:37:11 PM
D ELI GHT S | CANADIANA

Celebrating Asian heritage

By Anthony Wilson-Smith

M
any Canadians today see our
diverse population as a source
of pride and strength — for
good reason. More than one in five Ca-
nadians were born elsewhere. That is
the highest percentage of immigrants in
the G7 group of large industrialized na-
tions. Asia (including people born in the
Middle East) has provided the greatest
number of newcomers in recent years.
Since the 1990s, Canadians — who once
thought primarily of Europe when they
considered events abroad — now define
themselves, and the world, differently. As
former prime minister Jean Chrétien said:
“The Pacific is getting smaller and the At-
lantic is becoming wider.”
Still, the history of Asian people arriving
in Canada has seen highs and lows. China
is one such example. The first Chinese ar-
rived in Canada in 1788, when about 50
settlers, who were artisans by training,
accompanied Capt. John Meares. These
settlers helped to build a trading post
and encouraged trade in sea otter pelts
between Nootka Sound (in what would
The launch of the North-West America at Nootka Sound, 1788.
become British Columbia) and Guang-
zhou, China. On Vancouver Island, and
across B.C., the Chinese population was custody.” South Asians faced other hard- national census counted fewer than 7,000
estimated at 7,000 people by 1860. Their ships. In 1914, the government blocked people with origins in the region.
numbers grew with the addition of about the arrival of the Komagata Maru, a ship Today, many of these injustices have
15,000 Chinese labourers brought in be- carrying would-be arrivals from India, been corrected, and acknowledged, and
tween 1880 and 1885 to complete the B.C. and ordered them to be sent back. Upon the communities are thriving. In the 2011
section of the coast-to-coast railway line. census, South Asians, Chinese and Black
This also marked the start of one of this Canadians accounted for 61 percent of
country’s darker chapters. More than 600 the country’s visible minority population.
workers died as a result of adverse work- They were followed by Filipinos, Latin
ing conditions, as shown in the Heritage Americans, Arabs, Southeast Asians, West
Minute “Nitro.” After 1885, Chinese mi- Asians, Koreans and Japanese. A vivid
grants were required to pay a $50 tax to reflection of the changing times is the four
enter Canada. In 1900, Asian immigration Sikh Canadians named to Prime Minister
was further restricted; the “head tax” was Justin Trudeau’s cabinet (another was
doubled to $100, and raised again in 1903 born in Afghanistan). As we mark Asian
to $500. This was the result of complaints Heritage Month, there is general agree-
that were summed up by one senator, who ment about the positive impacts these
concluded the Chinese “are not of our race and other communities bring to Canada.
and cannot become part of ourselves.” At Historica Canada, we offer examples
Chinese Canadians were not allowed to of this firsthand through the speakers
vote until 1947. who take part in our Passages Canada
Arrivals from other Asian countries Capt. John Meares (passagestocanada.com) program and its
also faced discrimination. The first Japa- accompanying video series. The Canadian
John Meares / W. Beechey

nese immigrants arrived in 1877. Thirty population now reflects the presence of
years later, Japanese migration to Canada their return, they clashed with British In- the strengths of people from around the
was restricted to 400 males a year, and, dian police who tried to force them onto world. As a result, Canadians feel increas-
in 1928, limited to 150 people annually. a specially commissioned train bound for ingly confident about our place within it.
During the Second World War, Japa- Punjab. Twenty passengers died. Canada
nese Canadians were interned and their restricted immigration from South Asia Anthony Wilson-Smith is president and
property was placed under “protective to such an extent that, as late as 1961, the CEO of Historica Canada.

78 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 WINE |D E L I G HT S

Gorgeous Grüner Veltliner

especially concentrated in Niederöster-

reich and Burgenland. Some of the best
sites for Grüner Veltliner are considered to
be Kamptal, Kremstal and Wachau.
Often, Grüner Veltliner’s calling card
is a strong note of pepper and spice in the
aromatics. While on the palate, the wines
Pieter can vary from light to full-bodied, they
Van den Weghe
are often made in a dry to slightly off-dry
style, and usually have flavours of citrus,

F
ew countries have a wine industry stone fruit, mineral and spice.
that’s only known for a single grape When grown with high yields, the wines
varietal. Sure, many North Ameri- from Grüner Veltliner are fresh, clean and
can wine drinkers immediately expect a easy to enjoy. Much of the Grüner Veltliner
Pinotage when they think of what they that has helped establish its popularity
will find in their glass of South African outside of Austria is delicious when young
red wine. Yet, those consumers would and intended for early consumption. How-
probably be surprised that Pinotage repre- ever, with better vineyards and skilled
sents only seven percent of South Africa’s winemakers, wines made from this grape
total grape plantings, falling behind Cab- can also be rich and age-worthy. With long-
ernet Sauvignon and Syrah. term aging, these finer expressions develop
Similarly, Sauvignon Blanc is often a soft texture and flavours very similar to
thought to be New Zealand’s claim to aged white Burgundy.
fame in the wine world. However, not While there are small yields of Grüner
only does New Zealand Pinot Noir have a Veltliner in Germany and Italy, and more
well-earned place of recognition in today’s
wine market, several other countries and
significant plantings in Slovakia and the
Czech Republic, these productions have Sam Garcia
regions in the world produce benchmark yet to significantly impact Austria’s hold
expressions of Sauvignon Blanc. on the varietal. In addition, a few New Freelance Photographer
This makes Austria’s success with World countries and regions have started
Grüner Veltliner even more impressive. to grow this fantastic grape, including
Everyday wine drinkers would be hard- California, Oregon, New Zealand and
pressed to provide the name of another Canada's own, British Columbia. Diplomatic Functions
white or red grape varietal from this Eu- Given that much of the potential and
ropean country, and few expect Grüner recognition of this grape have yet to be Presidential and
Veltliner to come from anywhere else. It is realized — especially as new regions ex- Ministerial Visits
truly the Austrian grape. periment with it — we can look forward
The first mentions of Grüner Veltliner to more and more delicious wines from Social Events
come from the 18th Century, and it’s been Austria and other corners of the world in
proven through DNA that the grape is the the coming months and years. Cultural Events
result of a natural crossing of Savignin and Fred Loimer’s 2013 “Lois” Grüner Velt-
St. Georgener, an almost extinct vine that liner (available from the LCBO's Vintages Corporate Events
is only found in an area outside of Eisen- for $17.95) is a beautiful, enticing and aro-
stadt, a small city south of Vienna. matic wine. With the classic notes of spice Private Parties
Grüner Veltliner is the most important and pepper in balance with fresh citrus,
grape varietal grown and produced in this wine is the perfect introduction to this
Austria. As of 2009, there were more than brilliant grape.
13,500 hectares of vineyards planted with For something unorthodox, Steininger’s
Tel. 613-733-8761
this exciting varietal. Although this is 2012 traditional method sparkling Grüner [email protected]
down from nearly 17,500 hectares in 1999, Veltliner fits the bill perfectly. With more
Grüner Veltliner is still the most cultivated than 30 months of lees contact, this is the
varietal in Austria, representing nearly 30 perfect Grüner for celebrating the every-
percent of all of the country’s wine grape day. It is available through the Vintage
plantings. By comparison, the second-most Trade in Toronto for $29.95. Email cheryl@
planted varietal is the red grape, Zweigelt, vintagetrade.com or call 1-866-390-8745.
with just 6,500 hectares under vine.
These plantings can be found all over Pieter Van den Weghe is general manager
Austria’s wine-producing regions, but are and sommelier at Beckta.

diplomat and international canada 79

Anuncio Pa.indd 1 3/23/2014 8:36:27 PM

D ELI GHT S | ENTERTAINING

The cultural melting pot of South African cuisine

Photos by Larry Dickenson

Margaret
Dickenson

S
outh Africa regards itself as one
of the cradles of mankind, a claim
endors ed by t he d i scover y of
117,000-year-old footprints just north of
Cape Town. Referred to as the “Rainbow
Nation,” it offers a unique diversity in
its cuisine, rooted in the evolution of a
rich culinary history based on its people
surviving life in the bush. It was later
enriched by the migration of the Bantu
people from the north, before being am-
plified by an infusion of foreigners — Por-
tuguese, Dutch, French, British, Germans,
Indians, Malaysians, Indonesians and
Chinese. 
The earliest recorded inhabitants in
South Africa were the San or Bushmen,
nomadic hunter-gatherers who survived
on foods such as crayfish, tortoises, coco-
nuts and squash. Then, about 2,000 years
ago, a second group, the Khoekhoen, who
were pastoral and somewhat nomadic Bobotie is a well-known spicy and sweet South Africa dish made of minced meat and bread.
herders, reached the Cape after steadily
migrating southward. They raised sheep, mesticated sheep and cattle of the Bantu. gardens producing potatoes, cucumbers,
goats and cattle to provide a stable, bal- As a result, meat and milk play major pumpkins, watermelons and pineapples.
anced diet and enable them to dwell in roles in traditional African cuisine. Drying Simultaneously, with the increased trade
larger groups in areas formerly occupied was a method of preserving meat without of the Dutch East India Company between
by the San. refrigeration, as was souring milk. Both Europe, South Africa and India, a demand
Khoisan became a unifying name practices are still in use. The Bantu also for slave labour to work on farms and in
for these two groups. There was some taught the Khoisan to grow vegetables the fishing industry emerged. The slaves
intermarriage, but the San continued to such as squash, sweet potatoes and corn — primarily from India, Indonesia, Malay-
be hunter-gatherers and the Khoekhoen — the latter is known as “mealies.” The sia and Madagascar — brought their own
continued to raise livestock. Over time, Bantu intermarried with the Khoisan and cuisines to South Africa’s culinary mix. In
however, some Khoekhoen gave up their became the dominant South African popu- 1688, French Calvinists, known as Hugue-
pastoral lifestyle and adopted the hunter- lation before the Dutch arrived in 1652.  nots, fearing persecution by King Louis
gatherer culture of the San, probably due XIV, fled to South Africa. During the 18th
to a drying climate and their region’s lack Non-Africans arrive Century, the Dutch, challenged by the Brit-
of suitable animals for domestication. The Although the Portuguese had made brief ish, saw their global power decline. And
physical and cultural evolution of the stops at the Cape on their journeys to and by the beginning of the 19th Century, the
Khoisan was different from that of others from the lucrative spice-trading destina- Cape was shifting back and forth between
in Africa.  tions of East Africa and India since 1488, Dutch and British rule.
Bantu natives from further north in Af- it was the Dutch East India Company in The slaves introduced a variety of
rica, who also gradually migrated south- 1652 that realized the value of establish- spices, which boosted the flavour of nor-
ward and began arriving in South Africa ing a secure base for ships to shelter and mally bland Dutch and English stews and
in the 9th Century, introduced the practice replenish supplies of meat, fruit and veg- other dishes such as Boer Chicken Pie,
of modern agriculture. The Khoisan, who etables for their onward voyages. Soon, which features abundant seasoning and
really didn’t farm, then adopted the do- a Dutch settlement was established with is topped with eggs and ham. The Dutch

80 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 ENTERTAINING |D E L I G HT S

and Germans introduced baked goods named after the principal vegetable ingre- introduction of corn, sorghum was used
and pastries while the most notable Brit- dient, even though they include meat and and generally eaten with vegetable and
ish contribution was meat pies. Although vegetables — tomato bredie has slightly meat stews. Pap comes in many variations
the first recorded wine was produced in caramelized tomatoes and meat; sugarbeet — slap pap is a runnier, softer breakfast
1659 by the Cape colony’s Dutch founder, bredie is a relative of the French cassoulet; porridge; stywe pap is a thick paste-like
Jan van Riebeeck, the arrival of the French and carrot bredie is made with flavourful version similar to mashed potatoes that
Huguenots 30 years later launched the mashed carrots. Traditionally, pot bread, proves ideal for mopping up stew with
production of wine, an industry that be- a classic South African yeast bread, made one’s fingers; and phutu pap is a drier,
gan to make a mark on the world stage. with honey and baked in a cast-iron pan, slightly crumbly polenta-like version. 
accompanies these stews. In the language of the Zulu and Hosa,
What is South African cuisine today? the word amasi refers to fermented milk
South African cuisine is an amalgama- that tastes like yogurt or cottage cheese (in
tion of traditional African cuisine and the Afrikaans, the word is mass.) Traditionally,
cuisines of the foreigners who’ve shaped preparation entails fermenting unpasteur-
its history. Dried and roasted meat remain ized cow’s milk in a hide sack or a cala-
favourites among all South Africans, re- bash, draining off the watery umlaza from
gardless of descent. Biltong is much like the thick liquid, amasi, which is primarily
beef jerky, but may also be prepared with poured over pap or drunk straight. South
game meat such as kudu, antelope, ostrich Africans rarely consume fresh milk, which
or eland. It is sun-dried, salted and spiced. they refer to as as green milk, except as
Biltong, along with the ever-popular a thinning agent for very thick amasi.
beskuits, which are dried, sweet, rusk-like Zulus believe that amasi is the tonic that
biscuits, counted as essential staples for empowers men to be strong, healthy and,
the Voortrekkers — the African and Dutch Tomato bredie is a traditional South African most important, desirable. Even Nelson
word for pioneers — who moved into the dish, named for its principal vegetable Mandela enjoyed amasi. In fact, it once
ingredient.
interior of South Africa in what is histori- almost exposed his hiding place when he
cally referred to as the Great Trek. Today, was sought by the apartheid government.
pieces of biltong and dried fruit serve as A meaty national dish Fortunately, he overheard two Zulu work-
an enjoyable snack. Braais or barbecues, Generally recognized as South Africa’s ers mentioning how strange indeed to see
a much-loved recreational activity, is an national dish, a meat pie known as boto- milk left out on the windowsill to ferment
ancient practice that has been elevated to tie symbolizes the melting pot of South in an area inhabited by whites.
an art form in South Africa. Frequently, Africa’s “rainbow of nations,” from the
braais feature sosaties, which are similar to indigenous rearing and eating of beef, A produce-friendly climate
kebabs of meat — usually lamb — spiced the Dutch settlers’ culinary practices and The mild climate of South Africa enables
in different ways. It is marinated, grilled the spices brought by slaves and trading the production of a wide range of fruits
on skewers and served with sauce and ships. Bototie recipes and techniques differ and vegetables. The most common are
biscuits. Sosaties and a variety of sausages widely, but the most authentic and tra- corn, potatoes, cabbage, peppers, green
are meal-time favourites.  ditional ones incorporate minced beef or beans and sunflowers, plus a wild spinach
From personal experience, South Af- lamb or ostrich, plus six key ingredients: known as morogo. Common side dishes
rican sausages could become addictive. bread soaked in milk, raisins, apricot jam, would be mealy corn soup; corn on the
Imagine boerewors, highly spiced, often curry powder, cinnamon and bay leaves. cob; green bean salads; yams; geel rys;
a mixture of pork, mutton and beef, sea- Used in harmony, these ingredients create atjar, which are pickled fruits and veg-
soned with a gamut of spices plus red a particular balance of spicy and sweet etables; and condiments such as chopped
wine or vinegar, or droewors, a thin sun- flavours, where sweetness should not vegetables and chutneys. For a snack,
dried sausage version of biltong, but with- overpower the dish. The consistency var- South Africans consider mashonzha, which
out pork because it does not keep well. ies from that of stiff meatloaf to something are mopane worms similar to caterpillars,
Frikkadels, a cross between a small ham- softer and is eaten with geel rys, a spicy a traditional delicacy, if not an acquired
burger and a meatball, at times wrapped yellow rice. As a condiment with bobotie, taste. They come fried, grilled or stewed
in cabbage leaves, pop with flavours of South Africans delight in serving blatjang, and are served in markets with a chili
nutmeg and coriander.  similar to a smooth fruit chutney made sauce or peanuts. 
Another traditional South African out- of apricots, peaches and chilies for added South Africans, renowned for their
door way of cooking uses a potjie, a large heat. Its versatility as an additive for cur- hospitality, offer a choice of drinks — beer,
three-legged cast-iron pot set over coals ries, stews and other dishes makes it a perhaps even mechow or umqombothi, a tra-
or charcoal. A traditional stew cooked in staple in South African kitchens. ditional thick, creamy, slightly gritty and
a potjie is referred to as a potjiekos in the Seafood, harvested along the coastline mildly sour African beer made with maize
northern area and as “bredie” in the Cape. of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, contin- or sorghum; a wide variety of wines; Van
Early pioneers simmered potjiekos in a ues to be a dietary staple. Hake, the most Der Hum liqueur, a blend of brandy, wine,
potjie for hours, adding meat, vegetables common fish, typically ends up as a fish orange peel and spices; a powerful home-
and wild plants, plus whatever was avail- and chips meal. Rock lobster, mussels, made fruit brandy similar to American
able. Today, combinations of foods make octopus and cod tend to be more available moonshine; and the after-dinner Amarula
Tibor Kelemen

delectable potjiekos — seafood with white on the southern tip.  Cream, a cream liqueur made from fruit
fish and mussels; lamb shank with beet- Another staple is putupap or pap, a of the marula tree. Reportedly, monkeys,
root; and chicken. The potjiekos are usually mealy porridge; however, before the baboons and elephants who eat the rotting

diplomat and international canada 81

D ELI GHT S | ENTERTAINING

fruit in the wild get drunk. gether beef and soaked bread (torn apart)
Fresh fruit, puddings and cakes con- before stirring in onion, apple, raisins,
clude a meal. Originally created by Dutch almonds, jam, chutney (1½ tsp or 8 mL),
settlers in the Cape, malva pudding, a curry powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg,
soft, moist, delicate sponge cake, claims turmeric, lemon juice, zest, cumin and
to be an authentic South African dessert. cloves.
Popular as well are the glistening and 3. Heat only 1 tsp (5 mL) of oil in a large
oh-so-sweet koeksisters — which is pro- non-stick skillet over medium-low heat;
nounced “cook sisters.” These delicacies add garlic and ginger and sautée for about
are deep-fried cousins of the doughnut a minute, stirring constantly.
that have been dipped in a sugar syrup. 4. Add beef mixture, stirring constantly
The light melktart, a custard tart made of just until meat is no longer pink.
milk and eggs with a cinnamon topping 5. Transfer mixture to a lightly oiled (1 tsp
to accentuate the milky flavour, is another 1½ tsp (8 mL) each of apricot jam, peach or 5 mL) cast-iron frypan or oven-proof
popular option. chutney and curry powder baking dish. Level the surface before
Now, I invite you to celebrate South 3/4 tsp (4 mL) salt pushing in the bay leaves. 
African cuisine by saluting its culinary ½ tsp (3 mL) each of cinnamon, nutmeg, 6. Thoroughly whisk together the eggs
heritage with my version of the country’s turmeric, lemon juice and lemon zest with the remaining milk and the milk
national dish, bobotie. Bon appétit! Dash of both cumin and ground cloves set aside from soaking the bread; pour it
2 tsp (10 mL) oil, divided evenly over the surface of the meat. 
Bobotie 3/4 tsp (4 mL) of both minced garlic and 7. Bake in a preheated 350 °F (180 °C)
Makes about 4 one-cup (250 mL) servings grated gingerroot (peeled) oven just until the bobotie sets (about 40
3 bay leaves minutes).
3/4 slice of dense white bread 2 eggs 8. Serve with peach chutney, and if de-
2/3 cup (170 mL) milk, divided 1 cup (250 mL) peach chutney (in addition sired, a flavourful rice and freshly cooked
1 lb (450 g) minced lean beef to above) vegetables, including corn on the cob.   
1/3 cup (80 mL) chopped onion
1/3 cup (80 mL) peeled and chopped tart 1. Soak bread in only 1/4 cup (60 mL) Margaret Dickenson is a cookbook
apple milk for 15 minutes, squeeze dry and set author, TV host, menu/recipe developer,
1/4 cup (60 mL) raisins milk aside.  protocol, business and etiquette instruc-
3 tbsp (45 mL) slivered toasted almonds 2. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix to- tor. (www.margaretstable.ca)

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82 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 CLUB DE GOLF

LARRIMAC
GOLF CLUB
Chelsea (Québec)

Le Canada à votre porte

Canada at your doorstep
En 1924, un groupe de citoyens a aménagé un petit terrain de In 1924, a group of citizens carved a small golf course out of
golf sur les terres agricoles nichées entre la rivière Gatineau et le the farmland situated between the Gatineau River and the
pied des collines du parc de la Gatineau. Renommé pour la foothills of the Gatineau Park.
beauté de ses paysages et sa splendeur boréale, Larrimac a Known for its scenic beauty and boreal splendor, Larrimac has
accueilli au fil du temps des gens de partout dans le monde. Qu’il hosted guests from all over the world. Whether it’s a private
s’agisse d’une simple ronde de golf, d’une rencontre de famille, round of golf, a family gathering, an office get-together or any
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diplomat and international canada 83
This advertisement for the non-profit Larrimac Golf Club is sponsored by Brendan Hawley & Associates ( www.brendanhawley.com )
D ELI GHT S | residences

A residence built with Moroccan charm

Photos by Ashley Fraser

The residence of Moroccan Ambassador Nouzha Chekrouni was rebuilt in 1996 after a fire in 1994 destroyed the original residence. The new building is
full of Moroccan touches.

It’s not far from the plush fairways of the ried daughter is a translator and their son
Royal Ottawa Golf Club, nor from the works at a technology start-up.
Champlain Bridge to Ottawa. In fact, it's This residence, surrounded by mature
just far enough away to stand alone on a trees, has a story. It was created from the
stunning piece of property near the Ot- ruins of the previous Moroccan residence
tawa River. that burned to the ground in 1994 . It was
Follow the long driveway and at the carefully rebuilt two years later with the
Margo end you'll find a majestic three-and-a-half- idea that it should not only be modern
Roston
storey brick mansion, the home for the and functional, but should also reflect
past seven years of Moroccan Ambassador some Moroccan traditions.

I
f you don’t pay attention, you might Nouzha Chekrouni and her husband, El Relying on advice from officials in
just miss the small sign and street Menouar Bentefrit. They live there alone Morocco, and from a Montreal architect
number of t he Moroccan ambas- now that their two children, both of whom who specializes in Moroccan design, the
sador’s residence on busy Aylmer Road. still live in Canada, are adults. Their mar- elegant traditions of the culture show up

84 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 residences |D E L I G HT S

The main reception room runs nearly the length of the house and is almost completely open, with a back wall of windows overlooking a large garden.

Ambassador Chekrouni has been living in the residence for seven years. This hexagon-shaped space is typical of a room found in Moroccan homes.
Above is an elegantly designed wood ceiling.

diplomat and international canada 85

D ELI GHT S | residences

with stunning frequency in the house.

The front door is framed by a mas-
sive marble arch, and once inside, guests
are greeted by a lovely mosaic tile foun-
tain with three brass spigots. “It doesn’t
work,” admits a smiling ambassador as
she shows it off, but that doesn’t matter to
her at all.
The main floor reception area covers
nearly the length of the house and is al-
most completely open, with a back wall of
windows overlooking a large garden.
“When I first came here, there were no
houses there,” says the ambassador, wist-
fully pointing out a new home just visible
past the garden. Although the river can’t
be seen from the main floor, the upper
storey windows provide a fine view of the
water and the city of Ottawa beyond.
The centre of the reception area features
a white marble fireplace and white furni-
ture set off by a bright red Moroccan car-
pet. A painting of horsemen with spears
hangs over the mantel. A more modern
piece is the work of a young deaf woman,
a protégée of the ambassador when she
was the minister responsible for women
and the disabled before being appointed
The centre of the reception area features a white marble fireplace and white furniture. A painting of to her Canadian post.
horsemen with spears hangs over the mantel. Each end of the lovely reception room

86 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 residences |D E L I G HT S

has its own distinctive space: one end, winter garden, a sun-lit informal space
where the ambassador enjoys her after- featuring carved wooden furniture and
noon tea, features a design in orange decorated in subdued colours. It is her-
and blue. The other, near the wood and alded on either side by elegantly hand-
wrought-iron staircase, is where she re- carved plaster archways.
laxes over morning coffee. Perhaps the most traditional space in
Nearby, the gold oak-panelled dining the house is the Moroccan room created
room comfortably seats 24 and is located for the enjoyment of those who live there,
conveniently close to the kitchen. When their families and countrymen, as a touch
the house was rebuilt, the designers de- of home in a foreign land. A beautifully
cided to add an extensive kitchen in the crafted plaster wall with a tall arch leads
basement, for use when the ambassador from the main reception area into a hexa-
hosts large receptions. Food is a serious gon-shaped room lined with an orange-
matter at the residence and guests are red bench. This is typical of a room found
treated to a delightful array of Moroccan in Moroccan homes. Above is an elegantly
specialties, all cooked by the ambassa- designed wood ceiling.
dor’s Moroccan chef. Among traditional “This is where we serve tea and pas-
favourites featured at the long, sumptuous tries,” Chekrouni says.
table are pastillas — sweet and savoury The house has four bedrooms complete
meat pies served as appetizers — as well with ensuites, staff quarters and high up, a
as mouth-watering tagines, which are tra- guest suite with a view of the river.
ditional stews seasoned with caramelized After so many years here, the official
prunes and dried apricots. Couscous is residence has easily become a home for
another national dish readily available at the active ambassador, who can golf
diplomatic get-togethers. And one mustn’t nearby with Canadian friends, look out
forget the traditional mint tea. her window at Canadian scenery and sip
“We welcome guests to share with us,” mint tea in a traditional Moroccan space...
says the ambassador. a lovely melding of two cultures.
Several steps down from the main
reception room is what is known as the The dining room comfortably seats 24 guests. Margo Roston is Diplomat’s culture editor.

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D ignitaries | NEW ARRIVA L S

New arrivals Dato’ Aminahtun Karim Shaharudin Daniel Mellsop

High Commissioner for Malaysia High Commissioner for New Zealand
Marica Matković
Ambassador of Croatia High Commissioner In addition to his posi-
Dato’ Aminahtun is a tion as New Zealand
Ambassador Matkovi c career diplomat with High Commissioner to
is a lawyer by training more than 32 years ex- Canada, Daniel Mell-
and began her career perience. She's worked sop, a career diplomat,
as a legal adviser in at various divisions of will be concurrently
Zagreb in 1978, after the ministry, namely accredited to Jamaica.
which she worked in the South-East Asia, Mellsop has held
the same role for a Western Europe, Africa and East Asian numerous positions in the New Zealand
housing association. desks, ASEAN, and consular affairs. public service, covering a wide range of
She then became a counsellor at the minis- This assignment brings her full circle, issues, from trade negotiations to counter-
try of health and then the foreign minis- as her first foreign posting was to Canada terrorism. Prior to being posted to Ottawa,
try’s international law department. in 1988. She has also served as counsellor he was a senior policy officer and head of
By 1996, she was head of the depart- at the Malaysian Embassy in Indonesia the international branch at the ministry of
ment for consular affairs at the foreign (1996 to 2001), ambassador to Ukraine defence.
ministry and then became minister-coun- (2004 to 2007), and ambassador to Croatia For three years beginning in 2005, he
sellor in the Czech Republic. In 2001, she (2007 to 2011). Most recently, she held was posted to the Netherlands as first sec-
was head of the northern and western Eu- the position of senior director at the Insti- retary and between 2011 and 2012, he was
rope division, after which she was named tute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations deputy head of mission at the embassy in
deputy head of mission at the embassy in (IDFR), where she trained young diplo- Korea.
Serbia in 2002. mats, local and international. She was also Mellsop has a master’s of management
In 2003, she returned to headquarters instrumental in planning, co-ordinating studies in economics from the University
as head of the consular affairs department, and implementing a transformation plan of Waikato and speaks English, Russian
then was appointed consul-general to for IDFR. and Korean. He comes to Ottawa with his
Chicago. From 2008 to 2012, she was am- Dato’ Aminahtun was awarded Croa- partner, Jane Hooker, and two children.
bassador to Israel and from 2012 to 2015, tia’s Order of the Duke Branimir with
she was secretary general of the Croatian Ribbon in 2011 and Malaysia’s Kesatria Anne Kari Hansen Ovind
government. Mangku Negara (KMN) in 2009. Ambassador of Norway
She speaks English, Croatian and Czech.
Agustin García-López For the six years prior
Abdulhamid A.M.A. Alfailakawi Ambassador of Mexico to this posting, Ambas-
Ambassador of Kuwait sador Ovind led the
Ambassador López has high north, polar af-
Ambassador Al- a bachelor’s and mas- fairs and resources sec-
failakawi joined the ter ’s degree in eco- t i o n a t t h e f o re i g n
Kuwaiti foreign minis- nomics from Columbia ministry in Oslo where
try in 1982 as a diplo- University in New she helped implement
matic attaché. A year Yo r k a n d a F re n c h Norway’s Arctic policy.
later, he was posted to bachelor ’s degree in Prior to this, she was assistant director
Beijing. In 1988, he re- philosophy and litera- general for environment and sustainable
turned to headquarters ture from Vienna, Austria. development and led Norway’s delega-
to work on the Asia and Africa desk and He joined the foreign ministry in 1986 tion to the UN Commission for Sustain-
later that same year, was posted to the em- as an economic adviser to the foreign able Development in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
bassy in Washington as second secretary. minister and later became an economic From 1998 to 2002, she worked on
In 1994, he was posted to the Kuwaiti and foreign policy officer at the embassy NATO affairs, first in Oslo and then for
embassy in New Delhi as first secretary in Britain. He held several director-general three years at Norway’s delegation to
and in 1998, he transferred to the embassy positions at the foreign ministry between NATO in Brussels.
in Vienna as counsellor. In 2001, he be- 1993 and 2000 and then became executive The ambassador joined the foreign
came ambassador to Senegal, with non- director for Mexico and the Dominican service in 1996, but started at the foreign
residency responsibilities in Cape Verde Republic to the Inter-American Develop- ministry in 1993 as part of the negotiating
as well. In 2004, he became ambassador to ment Bank and the Inter-American Invest- team for Norwegian membership in the
Malaysia and Brunei and three years later, ment Corporation from 2000 to 2007. He European Union.
he was named ambassador to Tunisia. became permanent representative to the She has a master’s in economics and
In 2009, he became ambassador to OECD in Paris (2007 to 2013) before be- business, a master’s in arts and a master’s
Rideau Hall \ Lois Siegel

Hungary and four years later, returned to coming ambassador to France (2013-2015.) of science. She is married to Tom Oscar
headquarters as assistant to the minister He speaks Spanish, English, French and Ovind. They have two sons.
responsible for Arab World Affairs. German. He is married to Katya Anaya de
Mr. Alfailakawi is married and has five la Fuente. They have two children.
children.

88 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 NEW ARRIVA L S |dignitaries

R. C. Wu Non-heads of mission Lesotho Maxim Zuev

Representative, Taipei Economic and Liteboho Kutloano Second secretary
Cultural Office Argentina Xiang Xia Mahlakeng
Cecilia Ines Silberberg Minister-counsellor Counsellor Igor Prigaro
Second secretary Yuguang Guo First secretary
Representative Wu’s First secretary Malaysia
posting is new, and yet Franco Agustin Senilliani Tengku Zahaslan Bin
Tuan Hashim
Saudi Arabia
Lafi Ayed S.Alshammari
Melchior Cuba
familiar: Prior to being Third secretary Armando Erich Azcuy First Secretary Attaché
appointed to his posi- Perez
Australia Mohd Nasir Bin Aris Abdullah Belal M.
tion in Ottawa, he was Ken Smith
Attaché
Second secretary Alrubayan
director general of the First secretary Ethiopia Attaché
Mali
Taipei Economic and Bangladesh
Etsegenet Bezabih
Cherif Mohamed Raed Faqihi
Yimenu
Cultural Office (TECO) Nayem Uddin Ahmed Counsellor Kanoute Attaché
in Toronto for one year. Counsellor First counsellor
Thailand
France
Before his posting in Toronto, he was Brazil Mathieu Antoine Mexico Suktheep Randhawa
director general of international NGO af- Ramos Araujo, Marcelo Bernard Schuster Mae Helen Yvonne First secretary
Counsellor Stinson Ortiz
fairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in First secretary
Minister United States
Taiwan from 2010 to 2014. He served as Lincoln, Doralice Indonesia Robert Bruce Worsham
New Zealand Army attaché
representative in St. Kitts and Nevis begin- Attaché and vice-consul Christhophorus Barutu
Neil David Hallett
Attaché
ning in 2008 and served as director general Cameroon Counsellor John Arthur Sgroi
of TECO in Atlanta, Georgia, from 2003. Michele Marie Erry Kananga
Norway
Assistant attaché
Madeleine Esso Second secretary
Wu’s other assignments included serv- Second counsellor Olafr Rosnes Janee Pashan Pierre-
ing as congressional liaison officer in the Japan Counsellor Louis
Modeste Michel Essono First secretary
foreign ministry and chargé d’affaires at First secretary
Mikio Katayama
First secretary Paraguay
the embassy in Dominica. He began his Alberto Esteban Doak Robert Dyer
Caballero Gennari Attaché
career in the foreign service by serving in Chile
Fernando Raul Borcoski
Yuki Ochiai
Counsellor
Second secretary
Jordan and Poland. Pinto Venezuela
His first job was as a police chief and he Defence attaché Kenya Philippines
Glen Richard Martinez
Jissette Carolina Abreu
Lopez
Isaiah Kiprotich Koech
later received his master’s degree from the China First secretary Attaché Second secretary
School of Foreign Service at Georgetown Hongbin Xu
First secretary Russia Zambia
University in Washington, D.C. Korea
Janghoi Kim Alexander Veselovskiy Evaristo David Kasunga
Minister-counsellor Attaché Deputy head of mission
Andriy Shevchenko
Ambassador of Ukraine

For a man of 39, Am-

bassador Shevchenko
has had a long career in
journalism and politics.
He began his career
as Kyiv correspon-
dent for Edmonton’s LEADING SALON IN THE CAPITAL
The Ukrainian News. He
CONCEPT OF THE YEAR 2012
helped found the Ukrainian 5th Channel,
the first 24/7 Ukrainian news channel, and, ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR RGA 2013
in 2004, reported on the Orange Revolution.
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR RGA 2013
In 2002, he became chairman of the
Kyiv Independent Media Union and HAIR DESIGN ELITES
received the Reporters Without Borders COLOR EXPERTS
Press Freedom Award in 2005.
Credentials photos compliments of Rideau Hall

Shevchenko was then elected to the AESTHETICS

Ukrainian Parliament three times (2006,
2007 and 2012). Between 2006 and 2012, he
served as the youngest Ukrainian commit-
tee chairman, heading up the free speech 429 MACLAREN ST.
committee. He was a participant in the
OTTAWA
2013/14 Euromaidan protests and orga-
nized peaceful demonstrations. T.: 613.232.0202
Prior to this posting, he served as chief
of party of the USAID-financed RADA
(Responsible Accountable Democratic As-
sembly) Program.
Shevchenko is married to TV journalist #LOFTIES WWW.HAIRLOFT.CA
Hanna Homonai. They have one daughter.

diplomat and international canada 89

D ELI GHT S | envoy’s a lbum

1. 2.

6.

5.

3.

4.
1. Rong-chuan Wu, representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, was fêted at the Mandarin
Ogilvie restaurant by the Ottawa Chinese community. (Photo: Sam Garcia) 2. The Embassy of Azerbaijan cel-
ebrated World Azerbaijani Solidarity Day with members of the diaspora from Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto
at Ottawa City Hall. From left: Azerbaijani chargé d’affaires Ramil Huseynli, MPP Jack MacLaren and Turkish
Ambassador Selçuk Ünal. (Photo: Ülle Baum) 3. The same event featured dancer Sevda Azami, of Toronto’s
Tabriz Music and Dance Ensemble. (Photo: Ülle Baum) 4. German Ambassador Werner Wnendt and his wife,
Eleonore, hosted a 25th anniversary celebration of German unity at the Canadian Museum of History. The
Sharoun Ensemble of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra performed. (Photo: Ülle Baum) 5. German Ambassador
Werner Wnendt and his wife, Eleanore, hosted an embassy chamber music concert in support of Friends of the
National Arts Centre Orchestra. Shown here are Italian Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado and his wife, Mar-
tine Laidin. (Photo: Lois Siegel) 6. Kazakhstani Ambassador Konstantin Zhigalov and his wife, Indira Zhigalova,
hosted a reception at the Fairmont Château Laurier. (Photo: Ülle Baum)

90 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 envoy’ s album |D E L I G HT S

1. 2.

3.

4.

6.

5.
1. Israeli Ambassador Rafael Raul Barak attended the launch of the Loft Gala. The second gala takes place
April 30 at Hilton Lac-Leamy. It will feature designs by Israeli designer Eyal Zimerman. The gala raises funds for
the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. From left, gala chairman Bruno Racine, co-owner of the Loft Urban
Salon, singer Kellylee Evans and Barak. (Photo: Ülle Baum) 2. Cuban Ambassador Julio Antonio Garmendia
Pena and his wife, Miraly Gonzalez, hosted a national day reception at Lansdowne Park. (Photo: Ülle Baum)
3. Convenor Larry Lederman and Russian Ambassador Alexander Darchiev, after the latter spoke at Carleton
University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs Speakers Series. (Photo: Ülle Baum) 4. The Em-
bassy of Venezuela took part in the Latin American Art Exhibition at Saint Brigid's Centre for the Arts. Ambas-
sador Wilmer Omar Barrientos Fernandez stands in front of art by Venezuelan Amneris Fernandez. (Photo:
Ülle Baum) 5. Mohammed Saif Helal M. Alshehhi, ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, hosted a national
day reception at the Fairmont Château Laurier. (Photo: Ülle Baum) 6. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office
hosted a performance of The Sword of Wisdom at the National Arts Centre. (Photo: Sam Garcia)

diplomat and international canada 91

D ELI GHT S | envoy’s a lbum

1. 2.

6.

5.

3.

4.
1. Hungarian Ambassador Balint Odor hosted a film and wine event at the embassy, with a screening of the
award-winning Hungarian movie Liza, The Fox-Fairy. (Photo: Ülle Baum) 2. In advance of the Viennese Winter
Ball, which took place on Feb. 20, Austrian Ambassador Arno Riedel hosted a reception at his residence Jan.
21. From left: Julian Armour, artistic and executive director of Music and Beyond; Riedel; Liza Mrak, business
development manager at Mark Motors and Grant J. McDonald, regional managing partner, KPMG Canada.
(Photo: Ülle Baum) 3. Alpha Art Gallery presented a Valentine Gala fundraiser at the Museum of History in sup-
port of the CHEO Foundation. From left, Alpha Gallery director Edith Betkowski, her husband, artist Dominik
Solokowski, and daughter, Emilia, 20, who has had several surgeries at CHEO. (Photo: Ülle Baum) 4. Polish
Ambassador Marcin Bosacki attended the Valentine Gala with his two daughters, Maria, left and Zofia. (Photo:
Ülle Baum) 5. In honour of 40 years of the European Union’s official presence in Canada, EU Ambassador
Marie-Anne Coninsx hosted a reception at the Rideau Club. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined the festivities.
(Photo: Ülle Baum) 6. On the occasion of the Anniversary of the 68th Independence Day of Myanmar, Ambas-
sador Hau Do Suan and his wife, Nwe Nwe Aye, hosted a reception at Ottawa City Hall. (Photo: Ülle Baum)

92 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 envoy’ s album |D E L I G HT S

1. 2.

3.

4.

6.

5.
1. Armenian Ambassador Armen Yeganian, left, and his wife, Maria, right, presented an evening of songs
of love at the embassy and featured award-winning Canadian Opera Company soprano Sasha Djihanian,
centre, and renowned tenor Eli Berberian. (Photo: Ülle Baum) 2. French Ambassador Nicolas Chapuis hosted
WaterAid’s Auction of Nations at his residence. He’s shown with honorary chairwoman Margaret Trudeau. The
event aimed to raise $40,000, enough money to bring clean drinking water to 1,600 people in the developing
world. (Photo: Lois Siegel) 3. The embassy of Slovenia hosted a concert at the University of Ottawa’s Academic
Hall, featuring Slovenian accordion player Denis Novato. (Photo: Ülle Baum) 4. The Ottawa Art Gallery hosted
On the Rocks, its annual Winterlude party, at Ottawa City Hall. From left, gallery director Alexandra Badzak
shares a laugh with Haitian Ambassador Frantz Liautaud. (Photo: Ülle Baum) 5. Dominican Republic Ambas-
sador Hector Virgilio Alcantara Mejia, and his wife, Eunice Brigida Lluberes, left, hosted a national day recep-
tion at the Château Laurier. They are shown with Argentine Ambassador Norma Nascimbene de Dumont.
(Photo: Sam Garcia) 6. The community of the Dominican Republic celebrated its country’s national day at
Maison du Citoyen, Hôtel de Ville in Gatineau. (Photo: Sam Garcia)

diplomat and international canada 93

D ELI GHT S | envoy’s a lbum

1. 2.

7. 3.

6. 4.

1. Outgoing New Zealand High Commissioner Simon Tucker, right, and Nepalese Ambassador Kali Prasad
Pokhrel (not shown) hosted a luncheon in honour of Carleton University professor Jack Ives, left, who was
presented with the Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal for lifetime achievements in the conservation
of culture and nature in mountainous regions. (Photo: Ülle Baum) 2. Qatari Ambassador Fahad Mohamed Y.
Kafoud, left, shown with second secretary Mirdef Al-Qashouti, hosted a national day reception at the Fairmont
Château Laurier. (Photo: Ülle Baum) 3. Penny Tucker, wife of former New Zealand High Commissioner Simon
Tucker, showed her appreciation to the International Women’s Club of Ottawa by organizing a wine and
cheese tasting. From left, Deborah Watkins, Tucker and Sue Roeterink. (Photo: Nermine Fahmy) 4. Eleonore
Wnendt, wife of German Ambassador Werner Wnendt, with the International Women's Club of Ottawa,
hosted an authentic evening of Inuit culture featuring dance, music, throat-singing and northern sports per-
formed by 30 young students from Nunavut Sivuniksavut school. (Photo: Ülle Baum) 5. Latvian Ambassador
Juris Audarins and his wife, Aija Audarina, hosted a national day reception at the Fairmont Château Laurier.
(Photo: Ülle Baum) 6. British High Commissioner Howard Drake, left, and his wife, Gillian (not shown), hosted
a reception at Earnscliffe for the newly elected Canadian MPs as part of a two-day event organized by the
initiative for parliamentary and diplomatic engagement at Carleton University. Drake is shown with André
Plourde, dean of Carleton’s faculty of public affairs. (Photo: Ülle Baum) 7. Costa Rican Ambassador Roberto
Carlos Dormond Cantu took part in the Kanata tech park tour. He’s shown here with tech mogul Terence Mat-
thews. (Photo: Steve Cain)
5.

94 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 envoy’ s album |D E L I G HT S

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house at SAW Gallery. From left, Villu and Eeva Talsi. (Photo: Ülle Baum)

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diplomatic contacts
AFGHANISTAN AUSTRIA BOLIVIA CAMEROON
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of His Ex. Arno Riedel Embassy of the Republic of Bolivia His Ex. Solomon Azoh-Mbi Anu’a-
Afghanistan Embassy of the Republic of Austria 130 Albert Street, Suite 416 Gheyle
240 Argyle Street 445 Wilbrod Street Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4 High Commission for the Republic of
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1B9 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6M7 TEL 236-5730 FAX 236-8237 Cameroon
TEL 563-4223 FAX 563-4962 TEL 789-1444 FAX 789-3431 [email protected] 170 Clemow Avenue
[email protected] [email protected] www.emboliviacanada.com Ottawa, Ontario K1S 2B4
www.afghanemb-canada.net TEL 236-1522 FAX 236-3885
AZERBAIJAN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA [email protected]
ALBANIA Mr. Ramil Huseynli Her Ex. Koviljka Špirić www.hc-cameroon-ottawa.org
Her Ex. Elida Petoshati Chargé d’Affaires Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Embassy of the Republic of Albania Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan 17 Blackburn Avenue, CHAD
130 Albert Street, Suite 302 275 Slater Street, Suite 1203 Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 8A2 His Ex. Mahamat Ali Adoum
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5H9 TEL 236-0028 FAX 236-1139 Embassy of the Republic of Chad
TEL 236-4114 FAX 236-0804 TEL 288-0497 FAX 230-8089 Email: [email protected] 350 Sparks Street, Suite 802
[email protected] [email protected] www.ambasadabih.ca Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7S8
www.azembassy.ca TEL. 680-3322/ 421-1189
ALGERIA BRAZIL FAX 695-6622
His Ex Hocine Meghar BAHAMAS His Excellency Pedro Bretas Bastos [email protected]
Embassy of the People’s Democratic His Ex. Calsey Johnson Embassy of the Federative Republic www.chadembassy.ca
Republic of Algeria Bahamas High Commission of Brazil
500 Wilbrod Street 50 O’Connor Street, Suite 1313 450 Wilbrod Street CHILE
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N2 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6L2 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6M8 His Ex. Alfonso Silva
TEL 789-8505 FAX 789-1406 TEL. 232-1724 FAX 232-0097 TEL 237-1090 FAX 237-6144 Embassy of the Republic of Chile
www.embassyalgeria.ca/eng.htm [email protected] [email protected] 50 O’ Ramil Huseynli
[email protected] http://bahamas.com Chargé d’Affaires Connor Street,
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM Suite 1413
ANGOLA BANGLADESH His Ex. Pg Kamal Bashah Pg Ahmad Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6L2
His Ex. Edgar Gaspar Martins His Ex. Kamrul Ahsan High Commission for Brunei TEL 235-9940 FAX 235-1176
Embassy of the Republic of Angola High Commission for the People’s Darussalam www.chile.ca
189 Laurier Avenue East Republic of Bangladesh 395 Laurier Avenue East
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6P1 350 Sparks Street, Suite 1100 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6R4 CHINA
TEL 234-1152 FAX 234-1179 Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 7S8 TEL 234-5656 FAX 234-4397 His Ex. Luo Zhaohui
[email protected] TEL 236-0138 FAX 567-3213 [email protected] Embassy of the People’s Republic
www.embangola-can.org [email protected] of China
www.bdhc.org BULGARIA 515 St. Patrick Street
ARGENTINA His Ex. Nikolay Milkov Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5H3
Her Ex. Norma Nascimbene de BARBADOS Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria TEL. 789-3434 FAX 789-1911
Dumont Her Ex. Yvonne V. Walkes 325 Stewart Street [email protected]
Embassy of the Argentine Republic High Commission for Barbados Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6K5 http://ca.china-embassy.org
81 Metcalfe Street 7th Floor 55 Metcalfe St., Suite 470 TEL 789-3215 FAX 789-3524
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6K7 Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 6L5 [email protected] COLOMBIA
TEL 236-2351 FAX 235-2659 TEL 236-9517 FAX 230-4362 His Ex. Nicolas Lloreda-Ricaurte
[email protected] [email protected] BURKINA FASO Embassy of the Republic of Colombia
www.ecana.mrecic.gob.ar His Ex. Amadou Adrien Koné 360 Albert Street, Suite 1002
BELARUS Embassy of Burkina Faso Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7X7
ARMENIA Embassy of the Republic of Belarus 48 Range Road TEL 230-3760 FAX 230-4416
His Ex. Armen Yeganian 130 Albert Street, Suite 600 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8J4 [email protected]
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4 TEL 238-4796 FAX 238-3812 www.embajadacolombia.ca
7 Delaware Avenue TEL 233-9994 FAX 233-8500 [email protected]
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0Z2 [email protected] www.ambaburkina-canada.org CONGO (ZAIRE)
TEL 234-3710 FAX 234-3444 Embassy of the Democratic Republic
[email protected] BELGIUM BURUNDI of the Congo
www.armembassycanada.ca His Ex. Raoul Delcorde Mr. Emmanuel Niyonzima 18 Range Road
Embassy of Belgium Chargé d'affaires Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8J3
AUSTRALIA 360 Albert Street, Suite 820 350 Albert Street, Suite 401 TEL 230-6391 FAX 230-1945
His Ex. Tony Negus Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7X7 Ottawa, Ontario K1R 1A4 [email protected]
Australian High Commission TEL 236-7267 FAX 236-7882 TEL. 234-9000 FAX 234-4030
50 O’Connor, Suite 710 [email protected] [email protected] COSTA RICA
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6L2 www.diplomatie.be/ottawa www.ambassadeduburundi.ca His Ex. Roberto Carlos Dormon Cantú
TEL 236-0841 FAX 786-7621 Embassy of the Republic of Costa Rica
www.canada.embassy.gov.au BENIN 350 Sparks St. Suite 701
His Ex. S.E.M. Pamphile C. Goutondji Ottawa, ON, K1R 7S8
Embassy of the Republic of Benin Tel: 613-562-2855
58 Glebe Avenue Fax: 613-562-2582
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 2C3 [email protected]
TEL 233-4429 FAX 233-8952 www.costaricaembassy.com
[email protected]

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 diplomatic contacts
CÔTE D’IVOIRE ETHIOPIA GUINEA IRAQ
His Ex. N'Goran Kouame Her Ex. Birtukan Ayano Dadi His Ex. Saramady Touré Embassy of the Republic of Iraq
Embassy of the Republic of Embassy of the Federal Democratic Embassy of the Republic of Guinea 215 McLeod Street
Côte d’Ivoire Republic of Ethiopia 483 Wilbrod Street Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0Z8
9 Marlborough Avenue 275 Slater St. suite 1501, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N1 TEL. 236-9177 FAX 236-9641
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8E6 Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5H9 TEL. 789-8444 FAX 789-7560 www.iqemb.ca
TEL. 236-9919 FAX 563-8287 613-565-6637 [email protected] [email protected]
[email protected] [email protected]
www.ambaci-ottawa.org ethioconsulatecanada.org GUYANA IRELAND
High Commission for the Republic His Ex. John Raymond Bassett
CROATIA European Union of Guyana Embassy of Ireland
His Ex. Marica Matković Her Ex. Marie-Anne Coninsx 151 Slater Street, Suite 800 130 Albert Street, Suite 1105
Embassy of the Republic of Croatia Delegation of the European Union Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5H3 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4
229 Chapel Street to Canada TEL. 235-7249 FAX 235-1447 TEL. 233-6281 FAX 233-5835
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7Y6 150 Metcalfe St. Suite 1900 [email protected] [email protected]
TEL. 562-7820 FAX 562-7821 Ottawa, ON K2P1P1 www.embassyofireland.ca
[email protected] TEL. 238-6464 FAX 238-5191 HAITI
www.croatiaemb.net [email protected] His Ex. Frantz Liautaud ISRAEL
www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/ Embassy of the Republic of Haiti His Ex. Rafael Raul Barak
CUBA canada 85 Albert Street, Suite 1110, Embassy of Israel
His Ex. Julio Antonio Garmendía Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5G4 50 O’Connor Street, Suite 1005
Peña FINLAND TEL. 238-1628 FAX 238-2986 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6L2
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba His Ex. Kaarlo (Charles) Murto [email protected] TEL. 567-6450 FAX 567-9878
388 Main Street Embassy of the Republic of Finland [email protected]
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 1E3 55 Metcalfe Street, Suite 850 HOLY SEE www.embassyofIsreal.ca
TEL. 563-0141 FAX 563-0068 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6L5 His Ex. Most Reverend Luigi Bonazzi
[email protected] TEL. 288-2233 FAX 288-2244 Apostolic Nunciature ITALY
www.cubadiplomatica.cu/canada [email protected] 724 Manor Avenue His Ex. Gian Lorenzo Cornado
Ottawa, Ontario K1M 0E3 Embassy of the Italian Republic
CZECH REPUBLIC FRANCE TEL. 746-4914 FAX 746-4786 275 Slater Street, 21st Floor
His Ex. Pavel Hrnčíř His Ex. Nicolas Chapuis Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5H9
Embassy of the Czech Republic Embassy of France HONDURAS TEL. 232-2401 FAX 233-1484
251 Cooper Street 42 Sussex Drive Her Ex. Sofia Cerrato [email protected]
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0G2 Ottawa, Ontario K1M 2C9 Embassy of the Republic of www.ambottawa.esteri.it
TEL. 562-3875 FAX 562-3878 TEL. 789-1795 FAX 562-3735 www. Honduras
[email protected] ambafrance-ca.org 151 Slater Street, Suite 805 JAMAICA
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5H3 Her Ex. Janice Miller
DENMARK GABON TEL. 233-8900 FAX 232-0193 Jamaican High Commission
His Ex. Niels Boel Abrahamsen Embassy of the Gabonese Republic 151 Slater Street, Suite 1000
Royal Danish Embassy 4 Range Road, P.O. Box 368 HUNGARY Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5H3
47 Clarence Street, Suite 450 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8J5 TEL. 232- His Ex. Bálint Ódor TEL. 233-9311 FAX 233-0611
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9K1 5301 FAX 232-6916 Embassy of the Republic of Hungary [email protected]
TEL. 562-1811 FAX 562-1812 [email protected] 299 Waverley Street
[email protected] Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0V9 JAPAN
canada.um.dk GEORGIA TEL. 230-2717 FAX 230-7560 His Ex. Kenjiro Monji
His Ex. Alexander Latsabidze www.mfa.gov.hu/emb/ottawa Embassy of Japan
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Embassy of Georgia [email protected] 255 Sussex Drive
His Ex. Virgilio Alcántara 150 Metcalfe Street, Suite 2101 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9E6
Embassy of the Dominican Republic Ottawa, ON K2P 1P1 ICELAND TEL. 241-8541 FAX 241-2232
130 Albert Street, Suite 1605 Tel. 421-0460 Fax 680-0394 His Ex. Sturla Sigurjónsson [email protected]
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4 [email protected] Embassy of Iceland www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp
TEL. 569-9893 FAX 569-8673 360 Albert Street, Suite 710
www.drembassy.org GERMANY Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7X7 JORDAN
His Ex. Werner Wnendt TEL. 482-1944 FAX 482-1945 His Ex. Basheer Fawwaz Zoubi
ECUADOR Embassy of the Federal Republic of [email protected] Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom
His Ex. Nicolás Fabian Trujillo- Germany www.iceland.org.ca of Jordan
Newlin 1 Waverley Street 100 Bronson Avenue, Suite 701
Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0T8 INDIA Ottawa, Ontario K1R 6G8
99 Bank Street, Suite 230 TEL. 232-1101 FAX 594-9330 His Ex. Vishnu Prakash TEL. 238-8090 FAX 232-3341
Ottawa, ON K1P 6B9 [email protected] High Commission for the Republic www.embassyofjordan.ca
TEL. 563-8206 FAX 235-5776 http:/www.ottawa.diplo.de of India [email protected] (embassy)
www.embassyecuador.ca 10 Springfield Road [email protected] (consular)
GHANA Ottawa, Ontario K1M 1C9
EGYPT His Ex. Sulley Gariba TEL. 744-3751 FAX 744-0913 KAZAKHSTAN
His Ex. Motaz Mounir Zahran High Commission for the Republic [email protected] His Ex. Konstantin Zhigalov
Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt of Ghana www.hciottawa.ca Embassy of the Republic of
454 Laurier Avenue East 1 Clemow Ave. Kazakhstan
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6R3 Ottawa, Ontario K1S 2A9 INDONESIA 150 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1603-1604
TEL. 234-4931 FAX 234-4398 TEL. 236-0871 FAX 236-0874 His Ex. Teuku Faizasyah Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 1P1
[email protected] [email protected] Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia Tel. 695-8055 Fax 695-8755
www.mfa.gov.eg www.ghc-ca.com 55 Parkdale Avenue Email: [email protected]
Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 1E5 www.kazembassy.ca
EL SALVADOR GREECE TEL. 724-1100 FAX 724-1105
His Ex. Oscar Mauricio Duarte His Ex. George L. Marcantonatos [email protected] KENYA
Granados Embassy of the Hellenic Republic www.indonesia-ottawa.org
His Ex. John Lepi Lanyasunya
Embassy of the Republic of El Salvador 80 MacLaren Street
High Commission for the Republic
209 Kent Street Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0K6 IRAN
of Kenya
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1Z8 TEL. 238-6271 FAX 238-5676 Embassy of the Islamic
415 Laurier Avenue East
TEL. 238-2939 FAX 238-6940 [email protected] Republic of Iran
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6R4
[email protected] www.mfa.gr/canada 245 Metcalfe Street
TEL. 563-1773 FAX 233-6599
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 2K2
[email protected]
ESTONIA GUATEMALA TEL. 235-4726 FAX 232-5712
www.kenyahighcommission.ca
Her Ex. Gita Kalmet Her Ex. Rita Claverie Sciolli [email protected]
Embassy of the Republic of Estonia Embassy of the Republic of www.salamiran.org
260 Dalhousie Street, Suite 210 Guatemala
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7E4 130 Albert Street, Suite 1010
TEL. 789-4222 FAX 789-9555 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4
[email protected] TEL. 233-7237 FAX 233-0135
www.estemb.ca [email protected]
www.embaguate-canada.com

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diplomatic contacts
KOREA, REPUBLIC MALI NIGERIA QATAR
His Ex. Daeshik Jo Embassy of the Republic of Mali High Commission for the Federal His Ex. Fahad bin Mohamed Y.
Embassy of the Republic of Korea 50 Goulburn Avenue Republic of Nigeria Kafoud
150 Boteler Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8C8 295 Metcalfe Street Embassy of the State of Qatar
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5A6 TEL. 232-1501 FAX 232-7429 Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1R9 150 Metcalfe Street, Suite 800
TEL. 244-5010 FAX 244-5034 [email protected] Tel. 236-0521 Fax 236-0529 Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1P1
[email protected] www.ambamalicanada.org www.nigeriahcottawa.ca TEL: 241-4917 FAX: 241-3304
http://can-ottawa.mofa.go.kr [email protected]
MEXICO NORWAY
KUWAIT His Ex. Agustin García-López Her Ex. Anne Kari Hansen Ovind ROMANIA
Abdulhamid Alfailakawi Embassy of the United Mexican Royal Norwegian Embassy Her Ex. Maria Ligor
Embassy of the State of Kuwait States 150 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1300 Embassy of Romania
333 Sussex Drive 45 O’Connor Street, Suite 1000 Ottawa, ON K2P 1P1 655 Rideau Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 1J9 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1A4 TEL. 238-6571 FAX 238-2765 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6A3
TEL. 780-9999 FAX 780-9905 TEL. 233-8988 FAX 235-9123 [email protected] TEL. 789-3709 FAX 789-4365
www.embassyofkuwait.ca [email protected] www.emb-norway.ca [email protected]
www.embamexcan.com http://ottawa.mae.ro
LATVIA PAKISTAN
His Ex. Juris Audarins MOLDOVA His Ex. Tariq Azim Khan RUSSIA
Embassy of the Republic of Latvia Her Ex. Ala Beleavschi High Commission for the Islamic Ex. Alexander N. Darchiev
350 Sparks Street, Suite 1200 Embassy of the Republic of Moldova Republic of Pakistan Embassy of the Russian Federation
Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 7S8 275 Slater Street, Suite 801 10 Range Road 285 Charlotte Street
TEL. 238-6014 FAX 238-7044 Ottawa, ON K1P 5H9 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8J3 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8L5
[email protected] Tel. 695-6167 Fax. 695-6164 TEL. 238-7881 FAX 238-7296 TEL. 235-4341 FAX 236-6342
www.ottawa.mfa.gov.lv [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
www.canada.mfa.md www.rusembassy.ca
LEBANON PALESTINE
Embassy of Lebanon MONGOLIA His Ex. Said M. Hamad RWANDA
640 Lyon Street His Ex. Altangarel Radnaabazar Head of the General Delegation High Commission for the Republic
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 3Z5 Embassy of Mongolia 18 The Driveway of Rwanda
TEL. 236-5825 FAX 232-1609 151 Slater Street, Suite 503 Ottawa, Ontario K2P 9C6 294 Albert Street, Suite 404
[email protected] Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5H3 TEL: 736-0053 Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 6E6
www.lebanonembassy.ca TEL. 569-3830 FAX 569-3916 FAX: 736-0535 Phone: 569-5420/22/24
[email protected] Fax : 569-5421/5423
LESOTHO MOROCCO [email protected]
Her Ex. Mathabo Theresia Tsepa Her Ex. Nouzha Chekrouni PANAMA canada.embassy.gov.rw
High Commission for the Kingdom Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco His Ex. Alberto Arosemena Medina
of Lesotho 38 Range Road Embassy of the Republic of Panama SAUDI ARABIA
130 Albert Street, Suite 1820 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8J4 130 Albert Street, Suite 300 His Ex. Naif Bin Bandir Alsudairy
Ottawa, ON K1P 5G4 TEL. 236-7391 FAX 236-6164 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4 Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia
Tel: 234-0770 Fax: 234-5665 www.ambamaroc.ca/Nouveau/site- TEL. 236-7177 FAX 236-5775 201 Sussex Drive
[email protected] Amba.html [email protected] Ottawa, ON K1N 1K6
Tel 237-4100 Fax 237-0567
LIBYA MYANMAR PARAGUAY [email protected]
His Ex. Fathi Baja His Ex. Hau Do Suan His Ex. Julio Cesar Arriola Ramirez www.saudiembassy.ca
Embassy of Libya Embassy of the Republic of the Union Embassy of the Republic of Paraguay
Suite 1000, 81 Metcalfe Street of Myanmar 151 Slater Street, Suite 501 SENEGAL
Ottawa, Ontario, K 1P 6K7 336 Island Park Drive Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5H3 His Ex. Ousmane Paye
TEL. 842-7519 FAX: 842-8627 Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y OA7 TEL. 567-1283 FAX 567-1679 Embassy of the Republic of Senegal
[email protected] TEL. 232-9990 [email protected] 57 Marlborough Avenue
http://www.libyanembassy.ca FAX. 232-6999 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8E8
[email protected] PERU TEL. 238-6392 FAX 238-2695
LITHUANIA Her Ex. Marcela Lopez Bravo [email protected]
His Ex. Vytautas Zalys nepal Embassy of the Republic of Peru
Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania His Ex. Kali Prasad Pokhrel 130 Albert Street, Suite 1901 SERBIA
150 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1600 Embassy of Nepal Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4 His Ex. Mihailo Papazoglu
Ottawa, ON K2P 1P1 408 Queen Street TEL. 238-1777 FAX 232-3062 Embassy of the Republic of Serbia
TEL. 567-5458 FAX 567-5315 Ottawa, ON K1R 5A7 [email protected] 21 Blackburn Avenue
[email protected] TEL 680-5513 FAX 422-5149 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8A2
www.lithuanianembassy.ca [email protected] PHILIPPINES TEL. 233-6289 FAX 233-7850
Her Ex. Petronila P. Garcia [email protected]
MACEDONIA (REPUBLIC OF)­­­­­­­ NETHERLANDS Embassy of the Republic of the www.ottawa.mfa.gov.rs
His Ex. Toni Dimovski His Ex. Cornelis Kole Philippines
Embassy of the Republic Embassy of the Kingdom of the 130 Albert Street, Suite 900 SLOVAK REPUBLIC
of Macedonia Netherlands Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4 His Ex. Andrej Droba
130 Albert Street, Suite 1006 350 Albert Street, Suite 2020 TEL. 233-1121 FAX 233-4165 Embassy of the Slovak Republic
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4 Ottawa, Ontario K1R 1A4 [email protected] 50 Rideau Terrace
TEL. 234-3882 FAX 233-1852 TEL. 670-6038 FAX 237-6471 Ottawa, Ontario K1M 2A1
[email protected] [email protected] POLAND TEL. 749-4442 FAX 749-4989
His Ex. Marcin Bosacki [email protected]
MADAGASCAR NEW ZEALAND Embassy of the Republic of Poland www.mzv.sk/ottawa
Embassy of the Republic of His Ex. Daniel Mellsop 443 Daly Avenue
Madagascar New Zealand High Commission Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6H3 SLOVENIA
3 Raymond Street 150 Elgin Street, Suite 1401 TEL. 789-0468 FAX 789-1218 His Ex. Marjan Cencen
Ottawa, Ontario K1R 1A3 Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1L4 [email protected] Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia
TEL: 567-0505 FAX 567-2882 TEL. 238-5991 FAX 238-5707 www.ottawa.mfa.gov.pl 150 Metcalfe Street, Suite 2200
[email protected] [email protected] Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1P1
www.madagascar-embassy.ca www.nzembassy.com/canada PORTUGAL TEL. 565-5781 FAX 565-5783
His Ex. José Fernando Moreira da [email protected]
MALAYSIA Cunha www.ottawa.embassy.si
Her Ex. Dato’ Aminahtun Hj A Karim Embassy of Portugal
High Commission for Malaysia 645 Island Park Drive SOUTH AFRICA
60 Boteler Street Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 0B8 His Ex. Membathisi Shepherd Mdladlana
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8Y7 TEL. 729-0883 FAX 729-4236 High Commission for the Republic of
TEL. 241-5182 FAX 241-5214 [email protected] South Africa
[email protected] 15 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1M 1M8
TEL. 744-0330 FAX 741-1639
[email protected]
www.southafrica-canada.ca

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 diplomatic contacts
SPAIN THAILAND UNITED KINGDOM ZAMBIA
His Ex. Carlos Gómez-Múgica Sanz His Ex. Vijavat Isarabhakdi His Ex. Howard Ronald Drake High Commission for the Republic
Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain The Royal Thai Embassy British High Commission of Zambia
74 Stanley Avenue 180 Island Park Drive 80 Elgin Street 151 Slater St., Suite 205
Ottawa, Ontario K1M 1P4 Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 0A2 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5K7 Ottawa, Ontario
TEL. 747-2252 FAX 744-1224 TEL. 722-4444 FAX 722-6624 TEL. 237-1530 FAX 232-0738 K1B 5H3
[email protected] [email protected] www.ukincanada.fco.gov.uk TEL. 232-4400 FAX 232-4410 zhc.
www.embaspain.ca www.thaiembassy.ca [email protected]
UN Refugee agency
SRI LANKA TOGO Furio de Angelis ZIMBABWE
His Ex. Ahmed Aflel Jawad His Ex. Kokou Kpayedo UNHCR Representative in Canada Her Ex. Florence Chideya
High Commission for the Democratic Embassy of the Togolese Republic 280 Albert Street, Suite 401 Embassy of the Republic of
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka 12 Range Road Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G8 Zimbabwe
333 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 1204 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8J3 Tel: 613-232-0909 332 Somerset Street West
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1C1 TEL. 238-5916 FAX 235-6425 Fax: 613-230-1855 Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0J9
TEL. 233-8449 FAX 238-8448 [email protected] www.unhcr.ca TEL. 421-2824 FAX 422-7403
[email protected] [email protected]
www.srilankahcottawa.org TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO UNITED STATES OF AMERICA [email protected]
High Commission for the Republic of His Ex. Bruce Heyman www.zimottawa.com
SUDAN Trinidad and Tobago Embassy of the United States of
Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan 200 First Avenue, Third Level America
354 Stewart Street Ottawa, Ontario K1S 2G6 490 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6K8 TEL. 232-2418 FAX 232-4349 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8
TEL. 235-4000 FAX 235-6880 [email protected] TEL. 238-5335 FAX 688-3088
[email protected] www.usembassycanada.gov
www.sudanembassy.ca/ TUNISIA
His Ex. Riadh Essid URUGUAY
SWEDEN Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia His Ex. Elbio Oscar Rosselli Frieri
His Ex. Per Sjögren 515 O’Connor Street Embassy of the Oriental Republic of
Embassy of Sweden Ottawa, Ontario K1S 3P8 Uruguay
377 Dalhousie Street TEL. 237-0330 FAX 237-7939 350 Sparks Street, Suite 901
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9N8 [email protected] Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7S8
TEL. 244-8200 FAX 241-2277 TEL. 234-2727 FAX 233-4670
[email protected] TURKEY [email protected]
www.swedishembassy.ca His Ex. Selçuk Ünal
Embassy of the Republic of Turkey VENEZUELA
SWITZERLAND 197 Wurtemburg Street His Ex. Wilmer Omar Barrientos
His Ex. Beat Nobs Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8L9v Fernandez
Embassy of Switzerland TEL 244-2470 FAX 789-3442 Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic
5 Marlborough Avenue [email protected] of Venezuela
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8E6 www.turkishembassy.com 32 Range Road
TEL. 235-1837 FAX 563-1394 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8J4
[email protected] UGANDA TEL. 235-5151 FAX 235-3205
His Ex. John Chrysostom Alintuma [email protected]
SYRIA Nsambu www.misionvenezuela.org
Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic High Commission for the Republic
46 Cartier Street of Uganda VIETNAM
Ottawa, ON K2P 1J3 350 Sparks Street, Suite 1210, His Ex. To Anh Dung
TEL. 569-5556 FAX 569-3800 Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 7S8 Embassy of the Socialist Republic of
[email protected] TEL. 789-7797 FAX 789-8909 Vietnam
www.syrianembassy.ca [email protected] 55 MacKay Street
www.ugandahighcommission.ca Ottawa, K1M 2B3
TAIWAN TEL. 236-0772 FAX 236-2704
Mr. R. C. Wu UKRAINE [email protected]
Taipei Economic & Cultural office His Ex. Andriy Shevchenko www.vietem-ca.com
45 O’Connor Street, Suite 1960 Embassy of Ukraine
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1A4 310 Somerset Street, West, YEMEN
TEL. 231-5080 FAX 231-7112 Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0J9 Embassy of the Republic of Yemen
[email protected] Tel. 230-2961 Fax 230-2400 54 Chamberlain Avenue
[email protected] Ottawa, Ontario K1S 1V9
TANZANIA www.ukremb.ca TEL. 729-6627 FAX 729-8915
His Ex. Jack Mugendi Zoka [email protected]
High Commission for the United UNITED ARAB EMIRATES www.yemenembassy.ca
Republic of Tanzania Mohammed Saif Helal Al Shehhi
50 Range Road 125 Boteler Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8J4 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 0A4
TEL. 232-1509 FAX 232-5184 TEL. 565-7272 FAX 565-8007
[email protected] Consulate FAX: 565-1444
www.tanzaniahighcommission.ca [email protected]
www.uae-embassy.ae/ca

(613) 319-0846

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(613) 830-2509

©Photo by Victor Turco

Celtic North: Marie Deziel, Lois Siegel,
Dan Perkins.

Advertise in
marketplace

The investments you need. The

613-422-5262
service you deserve.
[email protected]

Steve McIlroy, FMA www.edwardjones.com

Financial Advisor Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund

266 Beechwood Avenue

Ottawa, ON K1L 8A7
613-742-6811

102 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 N ationa l days |delights

Celebration time
A listing of the national and independence days marked by countries
April

4 Senegal Independence Day

16 Denmark Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II

17 Syria National Day

18 Zimbabwe Independence Day

19 Holy See Election of the Pope

26 Tanzania Union Day

27 Sierra Leone Republic Day

27 South Africa Freedom Day

27 Togo National Day

27 Netherlands King's Day

May

1 Marshall Islands National Day

3 Poland National Day

9 European Union Schuman Day

12

17
Israel

Norway
National Day

Constitution Day
Lois Siegel
20 Cameroon National Day PhotograPhy
22 Yemen National Day

24 Eritrea Independence Day

25 Argentina May Revolution Special Event Photographer

25 Jordan National Day Personalized Portraits
26 Georgia Independence Day
Parties and Fundraisers
28 Azerbaijan Republic Day

28 Ethiopia Downfall of the Dergue

Ceremonies
June

1 Samoa Independence Day Lois has worked as a photographer

2 Italy Anniversary of the Foundation of the Republic for the Ottawa Citizen
4 Tonga Independence Day (Around Town and Diplomatica),
6 Sweden National Day
Ottawa Business Journal,
the Glebe Report, Centretown Buzz
10 Portugal National Day
and Cinema Canada.
12 Philippines National Day

12 Russia National Day (613) 830-2509

14 United Kingdom Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday [email protected]
17 Iceland Proclamation of the Republic siegelproductions.ca
18 O/of Eastern Caribbean States OECS Day

18 Seychelles Constitution Day

Official Celebration of the Birthday of His Royal Highness

23 Luxembourg
Grand Duke Henri

25 Croatia National Day

25 Slovenia National Day

25 Mozambique Independence Day

26 Madagascar Independence Day

27 Djibouti National Day

29 Holy See National Day

30 Congo, Democratic Republic Independence Day

Photo by Bill Blackstone

diplomat and international canada 103

D ELI GHT S | destinations

Panama: Much more than a canal

The islands of Bocas del Toro feature many beautiful beaches and attractions.

verse” and, most recently, one of the best nancial district, UNESCO World Heritage
places to retire in the world. Sites, virgin rainforests, fabulous beaches,
The government of Panama has put in surfing, stunning golf courses and shop-
place several strategies aimed at attracting ping are just a few of the things Panama
Canadians to our country. We offer some offers. Canadians can now fly direct to
of the world’s best retiree visa programs Panama on several charter and commer-
and business investor visas and we offer cial flights from Montreal and Toronto.
visa exemptions to Canadians. Many of Those who enjoy water sports will find
By Alberto Aristides Arosemena Medina our visitors to the embassy in Ottawa just top-notch surfing. On the Pacific side,
Ambassador of Panama want to visit Panama for a week, but end there is Playa Venao Beach, located in the
up moving there. province of Los Santos, the small rural
panama tourism

P
a n a m a h a s b e e n c a l le d m a ny Whether you are retirees, young fami- town of Santa Catalina off the coast of the
things: “A path between the seas,” lies, entrepreneurs or single adventurers, Province of Veraguas, and La Barqueta in
“t he D uba i of t he A mer ic a s,” there is something for everyone. Spec- the Province of Chiriqui. On the Atlantic
“bridge to the world,” “heart of the uni- tacular highrise buildings, a world-class fi- side, it’s hard to beat Isla Grande off the

104 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 destinations |D E L I G HT S

Casco Antiguo or San Felipe is the historic district of Panama City.

province of Colón or one of the many

beaches on the islands of Bocas del Toro.
Speaking of the province of Colón and
Bocas del Toro, it is impossible to men-
tion these two places without including
their cuisine. This area of Panama is well
known for its multiculturalism, which
comes to life in the kitchen with dishes
such as sautéed octopus in coconut curry
sauce with a side of fried plantain, fresh
fish ceviche or sautéed shrimp in Creole-
style sauce with coconut rice. And that is
just on the Atlantic side. There, visitors
will be amazed by the unique variety of
flavours from Michelin-starred local chefs,
where you can get home-cooked tamales,
hojaldras (our version of the Beaver-
Tail), sancocho (a delicious chicken soup
with root vegetables) or arroz con pollo
(chicken with rice, a national favourite).
panama tourism

The adventures in Panama are not just

culinary, however. If you had just a few
days to visit, I would put the Guna Yala, These women are dressed in traditional festival costumes, including handmade skirts known as
formerly known as San Blas, as No. 1 on polleras.

diplomat and international canada 105

D ELI GHT S | destinations

Ottawa Event Planning

10 years’ experience –
more than 100 events

Ulle Baum

Adventure and relaxation await travellers who make the trip to Panama.

your list. This spectacular conglomerate of and early American styles. Casco Viejo has
more than 300 tiny islands on the Atlantic delightful souvenir shops and restaurants,
side of Panama, is a one-of-a-kind expe- all within walking distance of one another.
rience, marked by white sand beaches, After spending the morning strolling
turquoise waters and the Guna people, a through these unique sites, I recommend
native indigenous tribe known for unique heading over to the Miraflores Visitors’
handmade molas. Molas are colourful Centre, a true expression of the permanent
fabrics sewn together by the Guna women commitment of the Panama Canal Author-
in beautiful fauna and flora patterns that ity to strengthen the public’s understand-
make great souvenirs. ing of the canal. The centre is located on
A few days in Panama City, a bustling the east side of the Miraflores Locks and
For 10 or 1,300 people metropolis packed with cultural activities, allows visitors to observe moving ves-
CREATIVITY, PROMOTION shopping, food and history, is also a must. sels and learn about the canal’s history,
AND PUBLICITY The city has two UNESCO World Heritage construction and importance to the world.
Sites: The archeological site of Panama Finish off your day in Panama City by
to raise the public profile Viejo and the historic district of Casco visiting the Biodiveristy Museum, the only
of your organization Viejo. Panama Viejo was founded in 1519 Frank Gehry-designed structure in Latin
by Spanish conquistador Pedrarías Dávila, America, and learn about how Panama’s
making it the oldest European settlement biodiversity changed the world.
on the Pacific coast of the Americas, and Travellers on a more leisurely schedule
Diplomatic outings
Casco Viejo is a charming historic district can take advantage of Panama’s scenery
National Days from the 17th Century that has preserved and off-the-beaten-path destinations
Foreign Dignitaries Visits its original street plan and architecture. It that most guides will not tell you about.
Conferences & fundraising events
is a fantastic mixture of Spanish, French Coiba National Park, off the coast of the
Veraguas province, is not only another
Concerts, festivals, exhibits one of our UNESCO World Heritage sites,
& fashion shows but also an ecological wonder. Used for
Bus tours & boat cruises many years as a high security prison, this
Catering pristine set of islands is the last refuge
for many threatened species of animals,
including the crested eagle. It is also an
essential habitat for hundreds of species of
cetaceans, sharks, sea turtles and pelagic
fish species. The Coiba Prison, which, at
its peak held 3,000 prisoners, was shut
down in 2004, but a few reformed prison-
ers remain as volunteers to look after the
island. On Coiba, you can take a 5 a.m.
boat ride and see more than 500 macaws
gather for breakfast, or you can scuba dive
[email protected] around the 38 small islands that make up
panama tourism

or 613-240-4622 this marine park.

Another hidden treasure is Bahia Piñas
Toucans are one of the many kinds of tropical birds in the province of Darien. This remote bay,
found in Panama. surrounded by virgin rainforests, is home

106 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

 destinations |delights

The presidential palace of Panama is a sight not

to miss.

remote, unknown places, but in Panama,

the only thing you need to worry about
is never leaving. We are one of the safest
countries in the region for tourists, have
Adventure travel is on offer across Panama. the best roads in Central America and
outstanding health care. Travelling within
to some of the world’s best fishing, with given their superior restaurants, scenery, Panama is easy — there are buses to any-
more than 300 world records set in its sur- coffee and climate. These small villages, all where in the country for less than $15 and
rounding waters. easily accessible by car, boast temperatures local flights to Rio Hato, Chiriqui, Bocas
The best thing about Panama is that no between 12C and 24C year round and are del Toro and Colón. Since 2013, Canadians
matter what you like, we have something known for their breathtaking mountains, have been able to fly direct from Montreal
for you. Some people just want to lounge hiking trails, bird watching, and Geisha and Toronto to Panama City in fewer than
on a beach for a few days and relax, or Coffee, which is among the world’s finest. six hours, and there are several direct char-
sip coffee on a cool mountain surrounded Another cool climate village is El Valle ter flights to Rio Hato and Panama City.
by birds and trees. The Pacific beaches of in the province of Coclé. Only two hours Anyone wishing to learn more about
Gorgona, Coronado, Punta Barco, Rio Ma, away from Panama City, this small town is Panama, or to prepare for a visit, is wel-
Santa Clara, Farallon and Playa Blanca in famous for its Sunday farmers market, the come to call our embassy in Ottawa or
Rio Hato, offer kilometres of beaches and endangered Panamanian golden frog, bird visit embassyofpanama.ca, where we are
warm ocean water, ideal for swimming, watching, hiking and mild temperatures. dedicated to offering personalized service
kayaking, wind surfing or just relaxing. A day on a hammock in El Valle listening and information. Bienvenidos!
If you prefer ponchos to flip flops, Bo- to the sound of the rain and the chirping
quete, Cerro Punta and Volcan in the prov- of birds is all it takes to unwind. Alberto Aristides Arosemena Medina is
ince of Chiriqui, are all crowd-pleasers People often get scared of travelling to ambassador of Panama to Canada.

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diplomat and international canada 107

Mike Beedell www.mikebeedellphoto.ca D ELI GHT S | P HOTO FINISH

After many exhausting hours of stream crossings, beating through bamboo thickets and trekking in heavy undergrowth in the Bwindi Impenetrable National
Park of Uganda, we met this young gorilla nibbling leaves and fruit. This species’ habitat is usually between 1,100 and 4,500 metres above sea level. The
adult version of this herbivore will weigh between 136 and 193 kilograms at maturity. Conservation efforts to save the critically endangered species, which
lives in an area of extinct volcanoes bordering the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda, have brought the population from 620 in 1989 to approximately 880
today. Deforestation, upheaval from the long war in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the spread of human populations into gorilla habitat have all
contributed to their decline.

108 SPRING 2016 | APR-MAY-JUN

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