[asia-apec 849] more sprAyPEC documents

[Jaggi Singh]

MORE DOCUMENTS FROM DFAIT (posted November 4th, 1998)

* Peter Donolo and "bottomline benefits for business" * "Spooking the
markets" * Chretien and Suharto * Overshadowing Human Rights * The Mining
Connection * Parwoto and Edwards * More on Appeasing Suharto *


Later this month, Prime Minister Jean Chretien will be attending the APEC
Summit in Malaysia. Some of the excerpts from these new documents at the
RCMP Public Complaints Commission (PCC) will hopefully draw some attention
to the broader corporate globalization agenda of APEC which continues
unabated.

From the outset, complainants at the PCC have consistently and tirelessly
requested documents relating to APEC 1997 from all relevant government
agencies and departments. It has been a slow process, and document
disclosure is still far from complete (and may never be).

Below are some excerpts from new Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAIT)  
documents recently provided to the PCC. DFAIT, along with the Canadian
Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS), the RCMP, the Prime Minister's
Office (PMO), the Privy Council Office (PCO) and the Department of
National Defence, are now claiming "privileges" for the many parts of
documents that they have censored. The City of Vancouver has yet to comply
with document disclosure, almost one month after their documents were
first requested by complainants.

An analysis of the censored documents, and why most (if not all) should be
made public, will be forthcoming at a future date. As it stands, three
unrepresented complainants to the PCC -- Megan Hunter, Jonathan Oppenheim
and Jaggi Singh -- have already made an application to the Federal Court
of Canada to challenge the censoring of government documents submitted to
the PCC. The seven-member team of federal government lawyers have stated
that they will oppose any attempt to reveal any more than what they have
deemed to be relevant to date.

Scanned copies of most of the following excerpts can be accessed on the
APEC ALERT webpage: <http://www.cs.ubc.ca/spider/fuller/apec_alert>. For
more info on these documents, contact either Jonathan (604-224-2482,
jono at physics.ubc.ca) or Jaggi (514-526-8946, jaggi at vcn.bc.ca).

All the following excerpts are from the binder titled "Department of
Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) and Privy Council Office
(Volume 2)." The binder is marked "Exhibit 26A" for the purposes of the
PCC (for all you document diehards).


I) Peter Donolo and "bottomline benefits for business"

The following excerpts, relating to the views of the Prime Minister's
Press Secretary, Peter Donolo, are quite revealing. Donolo took an active
role in planning for APEC as part of the APEC/CYAP (Canada's Year of the
Asia-Pacific) Communications Committee which he chaired:

"Peter Donolo was quite cautious on DFAIT's idea of broadening the APEC
dialogue into matters beyond trade and economic development, as he was
concerned that such activities will take away from the central APEC
message of trade liberalization."

"You will note Peter's [Donolo] concerns that the People's Summit
physically take place away from the meetings of Leaders (it will)."

(-- From a confidential "Memorandum for Jim Bartlemann" [of the Privy
Council Office] prepared by Neil Reeder. Dated July 11, 1997. Tab 94.)

"Donolo was more cautious on the issue of broadening the APEC dialogue and
reaching out to non-business sectors. ... The focus, he says, will have to
remain squarely on liberalization and bottomline benefits for business."

"This led to a broader discussion on the plans for the Peoples' Summit.  
As with widening the Leaders' dialogue, Donolo is cautious about anything
which may cause discomfort to the PM's guests. ... Donolo is particularly
anxious that the People's Summit event remain physically separate from the
APEC meetings."

(-- From a memo by James Lambert of DFAIT, the basis of the confidential
"Memorandum for Jim Bartlemann" of July 11, 1997. Tab 94.)

As early as July 1997, Donolo was putting a stop to even tepid attempts to
broaden APEC to include human rights and concerns. Furthermore, Donolo
wanted to make sure that the People's Summit, a moderate effort by NGOs to
address broader issues, not be located anywhere near the AELM (perhaps
illicit talk of human rights would reach the Leaders by osmosis). It seems
that the Chretien government's appeasement of Suharto is just one
manifestation of the government's broader appeasement of big business and
the "PM's guests", all at the expense of the concerns of even the moderate
elements of civil society embodied by the People’s Summit on APEC.


II) "Spooking the markets"

"[O]fficials are working to ensure that, under your Chairmanship, the
Vancouver meeting is seen to be responsive to the situation as possible
without "spooking the markets."

[-- From a secret "Memorandum for the Prime Minister" prepared by Len
Edwards, APEC Senior Officials' Meeting Chair, dated November 10, 1997.  
Tab 96.]

"[C]rises still occur, primarily because countries exercise their
sovereign rights and are selective about the advice they will follow ...  
until the market exercises its own discipline, and until the IMF imposes
conditions in exchange for financial assistance. In a globalized world,
bad policies have no place to hide."

[-- From "Financial Market Stability and APEC", part of a secret
"Memorandum for the Prime Minister", dated November 10, 1997. Tab 96.]

Apparently, the so-called "financial crisis" is the result of pesky
governments exercising their "sovereign rights." The reference to
"selective advice" is interesting. Agreeing with IMF demands (dictated by
the interests of big capital) is seemingly prudent, while following the
advice of, say, the populations that governments are supposed to serve in
the first place just results in "bad policies". These excerpts are a
classic statement of the economic fundamentalism to which the Canadian
government uncritically adheres. The powerful leaders of APEC are
seemingly impotent before the altar of the almighty "market".  There's no
reason to expect any better when the APEC Leaders get together for another
reunion (without Suharto this time) later this month in Malaysia.


III) Talking with Suharto

[All the following quotes are from the secret "Briefing Book for the Right
Honourable Jean Chretien, Prime Minister of Canada" relating to "Bilateral
Meeting with President Soeharto of Indonesia." "Talking Points" dated
November 24-25, 1997. Tab 97.]

"I am pleased that, as APEC's senior statesman, you have come to
Vancouver."

"The Government of Canada has taken every possible measure to assure
security and to ensure that your reception in this country is in keeping
with the high traditions of Canadian hospitality."

Recently, in the House of Commons, Chretien has tried to defend the
government's pandering to Suharto by claiming that the feds funded the
People's Summit. Well, while meeting Suharto, his talking points also
included the following:

"The People's Summit is not an APEC event."

"The Government of Canada has not funded the attendance of overseas
participants at the People's Summit."

"My government had no role in the mock trials recently held across Canada
by certain non-governmental activists."

"The use of our Parliament buildings for one of these was not sanctioned
by the Government, but was arranged by an opposition Member of
Parliament."

For Chretien's reference, his briefing book also contains a biography of
Suharto. The whitewashed bio includes a reference to Suharto's bloody coup
of 1965. The briefers write, "His decisiveness in handling the confusing
situation that ensued was an important factor in foiling the coup and
restoring order." What the document neglects to mention is that in
restoring order, Suharto initiated the massacre of between 500,000 to one
million people (according to Amnesty International).


IV) Overshadowing Human Rights

"The success of the Vancouver meeting will be judged by whether it
produces a credible outcome in advancing APEC's target for regional trade
and investment liberalization. ... Human rights and labour practices in
the region will attract public attention, largely because of the People's
Summit. However, this will likely be overshadowed in the media by the
attention paid to the activities of the Leaders."

[-- From the secret "Briefing Book for the Right Honourable Jean Chretien,
Prime Minister of Canada" relating to "Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
Fifth Leaders' Meeting." Dated November 24-25, 1997. Tab 98.]

Chretien's communications people (led by Peter Donolo) seemed quite
confident that the so-called side issues (human rights, the environment,
indigenous rights, labour practices, women, poverty and others)  
discussed at the People's Summit would be overshadowed by the attention
paid to the leaders and their activities. Perhaps the mainstream media can
judge for themselves whether puff pieces on the leaders (and their
spouses) overshadowed more substantive coverage of APEC.


V) The Mining Connection

The following excerpt shows that the Indonesian government was trying to
connect Suharto's concerns about demonstrations to Canada's significant
mining interests in Indonesia:

"Firstly, on the security aspect ... As you may be aware that during the
held (sic) of AELM, there will be demonstration by a group called ETAN
(East Timor Alert Network) targetting the Indonesian President. We now
(sic) that such activities will humiliate our Head of State, and for us
this action will hurt the Republic of Indonesia. So in this regard, I
would like to have your sincere attention to avoid this thing happened
(sic). I would also like to inform you that the demonstration will be led
by Ramos Horta, the Leader of the Timorese People anti integration to
Indonesia.
	Secondly about our Mining cooperation ... Your Excellency, You
really aware that Indonesia has so many investors from Canada particularly
in mining sector and we are very supportive and welcome to all Canadian
investments in this area to Indonesia. We expect that the business
cooperation can be used as a vehicle to strengthen the relation between
our two countries."

[-- From the speaking points of Indonesian Mining Minister Sudjana, given
to Canadian Energy, Mines and Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale at
the APEC Energy Ministers' Meeting in Edmonton. Dated August 26, 1997. Tab
99.]

It is rather unusual for an Indonesian Mining Minister to bring up
Suharto's security and embarrassment concerns, if not to subtly threaten
repercussions against Canada's mining interests. It's fair to assume that
making sure Suharto was content was part of a broader strategy by the
federal government to make sure that Canada's mining companies operating
in Indonesia were content. Those companies have been widely criticized
internationally for their complicity in human rights abuses, the
displacement of indigenous peoples and environmental devastation in
Indonesia. Moreover, it is widely acknowledged that Canadian mining
companies were known to pay off the army and Suharto's cronies, helping to
prolong Suharto's despotic rule over Indonesia.
	The Indonesian Minister's notes above were forwarded to a Paul
Sadler, with the following cover note by Catherine McKenna, an aide to
Minister Goodale:

"As you will read from the notes, most important point [underlined in
original] was message to be relayed to Axworthy and Prime Minister from
Indonesian President that they are upset about the actions of ETAN and
security aspect of AELM. This was emphasized at the beginning of the
meeting and reemphasized at the end. Goodale said that he would report to
MINA (Axworthy) and PMO their concerns."

[-- From Fax Sheet by Catherine McKenna to Paul Sadler. Tab 99.]

It would be in early September, not too long after the APEC Energy Meeting
in Edmonton, that DFAIT, the PMO and the Embassy in Indonesia would work
overtime to ensure Suharto's presence in Vancouver, and make sure his
reception in Canada was in keeping with "the high traditions of Canadian
hospitality."
	One more excerpt about the mining connection:

"MINING: We are most pleased that the Mining Seminar in Jakarta was a
success. We look forward to the imminent approval of the 7th Generation
Contracts of Work, the majority of which involve Canadian firms."

[-- From the secret "Briefing Book for the Right Honourable Jean Chretien,
Prime Minister of Canada" relating to "Bilateral Meeting with President
Soeharto of Indonesia." Dated November 24-25, 1997. Tab 97.]

This is one of the "Talking Points" of Chretien's bilateral meeting with
Suharto on November 24, 1997 (more excerpts above). Contracts of Work are
needed for Canadian mining companies to begin operations in Indonesia.
Apparently, Chretien has reason to expect their "imminent approval." Any
connection to appeasing Suharto's desire not to see demonstrations?
Perhaps Chretien can answer that question, along with a few more, if he is
ever subpoenaed to appear at the Public Complaints Commission.


VI) Parwoto and Edwards

"Ambassador Parwoto [Indonesian Ambassador to Canada] came directly to the
point, asking if Canada "could do something to re-arrange the People's
Summit", alluding to Canadian government involvement in the arrangements
which he suggested should give us leverage. ... While the Canadian
government was conducting ongoing discussions with constructive elements
among the organizers, which we hoped would be helpful to vent steam, we
were in no position to intervene regarding venues or timing."

[-- From "Indonesian Ambassador Parwoto meeting with MLE/MMB" sent by
"HERWI, Momeo". Dated September 1, 1997. Tab 102.]

The prescient Peter Donolo seems to have been thinking like an Indonesian
diplomat all along (see excerpts above) as he made sure that the People's
Summit was physically separate from the Leader's Summit back in July.

"MLE [Special Envoy Len Edwards] responded that Canada had unparalleled
experience in conducting such Summit-style events. Security would be
meticulous and impenetrable. Demonstrations would take place at designated
sites within the legally sanctioned parameters, and measures were in place
to ensure physical separation between demonstrators and leaders.
Worst-case scenarios would of course be anticipated. MLE recalled the
"march on leaders" from the Toronto G-7 Summit in 1998 which had been
effectively and peacefully contained."

"Parwoto welcomed the latter visit [ie. a proposed visit by Len Edwards to
Jakarta to beg Suharto to come to APEC] and suggested that MLE should meet
with Senior Intelligence Official, [name vetted]."

[-- From "Indonesian Ambassador Parwoto meeting with MLE/MMB" sent by
"HERWI, Momeo". Dated September 1, 1997. Tab 102.]

There is no indication whether Edwards agreed to meet the Senior
Intelligence Official from Indonesia as recommended by Parwoto.


VII) More on Appeasing Suharto

The following excerpts from an "Action Memorandum" for Lloyd Axworthy are
prefaced by the remarks, "Minister agrees with the recommendations."

"ISSUE: To agree to a strategic approach to engage Indonesian Ministers
and President Soeharto in responding to concerns about their potential
embarrassment to their Leader at the time of the Vancouver APEC Economic
Leaders' Meeting."

"1. That you agree to the initiation of a series of interventions with
Indonesian Ministers and President Soeharto to assure them that all
precautions will be taken regarding physical security and crowd control;

2. That with regard to the People's Summit, you agree to make clear that:
... b) we can agree that Canadian Ministers will deal only with those
elements of the People's Summit which are relevant to APEC."

The premise of Canada's so-called "constructive engagement" position
vis-a-vis Indonesia is that Canada can exercise a positive influence on
Indonesia. This action memorandum begs the question, "Who's influencing
who?"
	The memorandum also has a section titled "Proposed Contacts with
Indonesia." In addition to letters to Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali
Alatas and Suharto (in which Axworthy goes on to apologize for the actions
of Canadian human rights groups), a meeting with Benjamin Parwoto
(Indonesian Ambassador to Canada) and a telephone call to Suharto are
proposed for the Prime Minister. To date, there is no document record of
these meetings and calls.

[-- From "Action Memorandum for: The Minister of Foreign Affairs"  
written by Len Edwards. Dated September 19, 1997. Tab 103.]

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