Paul Joseph James Martin (Secretary of State for External Affairs)
Liberal
Hon. Paul Martin (Secretary of Stale for External Affairs):
Mr. Speaker, in accordance with the practice established by my predecessors I would like to make a brief report on the ministerial meeting of NATO which was held in London this week, and also to give some impressions of my visit to Cyprus.
My purpose in visiting Cyprus was to pay respects on behalf of the Government of Canada and its people to the United Nations force in Cyprus. I went there in particular to visit the men of the Canadian contingent and to thank them for the services which they and their predecessors have rendered to the United Nations peace keeping effort.
I also took the opportunity to have discussions with President Makarios, Vice President Kuchuk and the representative of the United Nations Secretary General Mr. Bernardes. I also saw the commander of the UN force, General Thimayya, in Geneva on my way to [DOT]Cyprus. The acting commander of the force in General Thimayya's absence is Brigadier Bruce Macdonald of Edmonton, who has already gained the respect of the two communities on the Island. I left Cyprus, Mr. Speaker, prouder than ever to be a Canadian.
Subtopic: REPORT BY MINISTER ON CYPRUS VISIT AND NATO MINISTERIAL MEETING