Russian president seeks to harness Canada against U.S. domination
December 18, 2000
Web posted at: 4:23 a.m. EST (0923 GMT)
OTTAWA, Canada (AP) -- Russia and Canada have much in common: Both are vast
countries with Arctic territory and big mineral industries. Harnessed
together, Vladimir Putin thinks they can do more to help each other and
prevent the United States from dominating world affairs.
The Russian president arrived in Canada on Sunday for a three-day state
visit intended to cement a personal relationship with Prime Minister Jean
Chretien -- soon to be the longest-serving leader among world powers -- and
seek his country's help in economic and political arenas.
With the Canada trip, Putin achieves his goal of visiting or meeting with
every head of state in the G-8 club of leading industrialized nations, which
comprises the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan
and Russia.
In less than a year as its leader, his personal diplomacy has helped Russia
secure its footing in the group, a crucial step for Putin's efforts to
rebuild a struggling economy and try to offset U.S. dominance in the
post-Soviet era.
Putin and Chretien dined together Sunday night and were to meet again Monday
to discuss trade, security and other issues. The focus is expected to reach
beyond their own countries, with much attention on the worldwide
implications of the incoming U.S. administration of George W. Bush.
By hosting Putin and a Canadian summit with the European Union on Tuesday,
Chretien -- in power since 1993 and recently elected to a third straight
term -- is seeking to position Canada as a facilitator between his guests
and the United States.
Putin arrived Sunday from Cuba, where Canada stands in sharp contradiction
to U.S. policy. While the United States imposes sanctions on Cuba, Canada
defies its powerful neighbor by trading with the communist island and
holding full diplomatic relations.
The Russian president wants that kind of Canadian independence to help
prevent a Bush presidency from forcing its will on major issues. One topic
of conversation will be a proposed new North American missile defense system
to protect mostly against threats from rogue nations, an idea supported by
Bush.
Russia vehemently opposes the development of such a system, saying it would
breach a 28-year-old anti-ballistic missile treaty and could spark a new
arms race that Russia cannot afford. Putin told Canadian journalists in
Moscow last week that Canada could help resolve the dispute by opposing the
plan.
Canada has expressed concern that a U.S. missile-defense system could hurt
arms control efforts, but has not openly opposed it.
Putin also will try to jump-start Russia-Canada trade, which has sagged
badly since Russia's economic crisis hit in 1998. Canadian exports to Russia
fell to $116 million last year, from $255 million in 1997.
After a state dinner Monday night, Putin was to address a business lunch
Tuesday in Toronto before returning to Moscow. Chretien was to host French
President Jacques Chirac and European Commission President Romano Prodi on
Tuesday for the Canada-EU summit.
Canada, a NATO member, has expressed concern about EU plans for a
60,000-member rapid reaction force, its first step toward a military
presence. The force is meant for peacekeeping and humanitarian crises when
NATO decides against getting involved, but would have access to NATO
resources.
Canadian Defense Minister Art Eggleton has said the EU must cooperate with
NATO rather than trying to set up its own decision-making sphere within the
alliance -- an opinion that Washington shares.
In a recent speech, Eggleton warned that "polarization between the U.S. and
the EU on security and defense issues would leave Canada caught in the
middle."
December 18, 2000
Web posted at: 4:23 a.m. EST (0923 GMT)
OTTAWA, Canada (AP) -- Russia and Canada have much in common: Both are vast
countries with Arctic territory and big mineral industries. Harnessed
together, Vladimir Putin thinks they can do more to help each other and
prevent the United States from dominating world affairs.
The Russian president arrived in Canada on Sunday for a three-day state
visit intended to cement a personal relationship with Prime Minister Jean
Chretien -- soon to be the longest-serving leader among world powers -- and
seek his country's help in economic and political arenas.
With the Canada trip, Putin achieves his goal of visiting or meeting with
every head of state in the G-8 club of leading industrialized nations, which
comprises the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan
and Russia.
In less than a year as its leader, his personal diplomacy has helped Russia
secure its footing in the group, a crucial step for Putin's efforts to
rebuild a struggling economy and try to offset U.S. dominance in the
post-Soviet era.
Putin and Chretien dined together Sunday night and were to meet again Monday
to discuss trade, security and other issues. The focus is expected to reach
beyond their own countries, with much attention on the worldwide
implications of the incoming U.S. administration of George W. Bush.
By hosting Putin and a Canadian summit with the European Union on Tuesday,
Chretien -- in power since 1993 and recently elected to a third straight
term -- is seeking to position Canada as a facilitator between his guests
and the United States.
Putin arrived Sunday from Cuba, where Canada stands in sharp contradiction
to U.S. policy. While the United States imposes sanctions on Cuba, Canada
defies its powerful neighbor by trading with the communist island and
holding full diplomatic relations.
The Russian president wants that kind of Canadian independence to help
prevent a Bush presidency from forcing its will on major issues. One topic
of conversation will be a proposed new North American missile defense system
to protect mostly against threats from rogue nations, an idea supported by
Bush.
Russia vehemently opposes the development of such a system, saying it would
breach a 28-year-old anti-ballistic missile treaty and could spark a new
arms race that Russia cannot afford. Putin told Canadian journalists in
Moscow last week that Canada could help resolve the dispute by opposing the
plan.
Canada has expressed concern that a U.S. missile-defense system could hurt
arms control efforts, but has not openly opposed it.
Putin also will try to jump-start Russia-Canada trade, which has sagged
badly since Russia's economic crisis hit in 1998. Canadian exports to Russia
fell to $116 million last year, from $255 million in 1997.
After a state dinner Monday night, Putin was to address a business lunch
Tuesday in Toronto before returning to Moscow. Chretien was to host French
President Jacques Chirac and European Commission President Romano Prodi on
Tuesday for the Canada-EU summit.
Canada, a NATO member, has expressed concern about EU plans for a
60,000-member rapid reaction force, its first step toward a military
presence. The force is meant for peacekeeping and humanitarian crises when
NATO decides against getting involved, but would have access to NATO
resources.
Canadian Defense Minister Art Eggleton has said the EU must cooperate with
NATO rather than trying to set up its own decision-making sphere within the
alliance -- an opinion that Washington shares.
In a recent speech, Eggleton warned that "polarization between the U.S. and
the EU on security and defense issues would leave Canada caught in the
middle."