Not for fair-weather friends
www.globeandmail.com By PAUL KNOX
Wednesday, February 5, 2003 – Page A17
CARACAS -- A major thrust of Canadian foreign policy during the 1990s was aimed at giving Ottawa a stronger presence in the affairs of Latin America and the Caribbean. It culminated in the 2001 Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, where a timetable for hemispheric free-trade talks was approved and where Prime Minister Jean Chrétien proudly dubbed the 34 member countries a gran familia.
Nearly two years later, the family is struggling. Economic growth in Latin America is at a standstill, and the region continues to frighten mainstream investors. On the social side, Latin Americans are disillusioned with the harsh market-friendly policies that appeal so strongly to the hemisphere's free-traders. They are turning to politicians who offer at least the promise of relief.
Where is Canada now that times have got tough? A lot less visible than it was in Quebec City, even through the tear gas. "The profile we had developed by the time we finally got to Quebec City is starting to dissipate," says John Graham, a retired diplomat and veteran of postings in Latin America. He chairs the Canadian Foundation for the Americas, an independent (though largely government-funded) policy and research group in Ottawa known by the acronym FOCAL.
Two important presidential inaugurations in South America last month were attended not by Mr. Chrétien or Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham or any other cabinet minister, but by relatively low-level parliamentary representatives. In Brasilia, on New Year's Day, it was House of Commons Speaker Peter Milliken who watched as Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office. Two weeks later, Canada dispatched Senate Speaker Daniel Hays to Quito for the inauguration of Ecuador's Lucio Gutierrez.
So what, you say. Who cares about formal ceremonies? Don't we take care of business in other ways?
Yes and no. The usual practice among the Latin republics is for the president to attend such events. Actual political business often gets transacted and, if you're not there with a dance card, you don't get out on the floor. "For the Latin Americans, it's hugely important the level at which you turn up at these things," Mr. Graham says.
A higher level of representation might have stopped Canada from being sidelined in activity regarding the acute political crisis in Venezuela. At talks in Quito led by Mr. da Silva, leaders agreed to form a six-nation group known as Friends of Venezuela to offer support to talks between the embattled government of President Hugo Chavez and a broad opposition coalition. This is the kind of thing Canadians are good at. In 2000, Canada played a key role in defusing a political crisis in Peru, and it seemed natural to offer to do so again.
"We had made our desires known," a senior Canadian official says. "We would have been willing to serve." Yet when the white smoke emerged in Quito, the group turned out to consist of Brazil, Mexico, the United States, Chile, Spain and Portugal. (That's right, Portugal.)
Mr. Graham's spokeswoman, Isabelle Savard, says that, under the rules of diplomatic protocol, parliamentary speakers are considered senior to cabinet ministers, and that Mr. Milliken had productive meetings with several Brazilian ministers. But several experienced Latin America hands have told me that protocol is one thing, and possessing the authority or credibility to take part in intense political talks is quite another.
At this point, it's not clear how important the six-nation support group for the Venezuelan talks will turn out to be. But Venezuela aside, Canada needs to be higher on Mr. da Silva's radar screen -- if only to ensure that the ongoing Canada-Brazil dispute over export subsidies for commuter-jet aircraft is managed without ill will.
In an unusually strong editorial in its current monthly bulletin, FOCAL says Ottawa blew it in Brasilia. "The Canadian government squandered a wonderful opportunity to repair a fractured relationship with one of the most important governments in the hemisphere," it says, adding that "if Canada wants to be included in the decisions that are reshaping a continent, it needs to get into the trenches, attend the high-level events and show the respect that the powers and the aspiring powers of the Americas deserve."
There is great uncertainty this year in Latin America. Venezuela and Argentina are swimming in economic difficulties, Colombia's internal armed conflict has escalated and the bloom is off the presidency of Mexico's Vicente Fox.
It's hardly the time for fair-weather friendship. When you're adopted into a gran familia,it's supposed to be a lifelong deal. pknox@globeandmail.ca