Diplomat gets undignified welcome to Canada

[CHIMO]

Ottawa — The secretary-general of la Francophonie and former president of Senegal received an undignified welcome this week upon his arrival to Canada.

Abdou Diouf was body-searched upon his arrival at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, according to information revealed by the Liberals on Thursday in the House of Commons.

Adding insult to injury, the Liberals claimed a planned meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper was cancelled at the last minute.

The Conservatives deny that was the case, although Mr. Diouf's agenda posted on the group's website included a Thursday meeting with Mr. Harper and Governor General Michaëlle Jean in Ottawa.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060511.wdiplomat0511/BNStory/National/home

Called bush diplomacy. But we have all heard that some people are so smart and so strategic in their moves...

[gula]

1. Just heard this afternoon on

Radio-Canada that Senegal is asking for a formal and public apology from Canada. Diouf was president of Senegal for 2? terms. Can't wait.

Happy to see this made the English press.

[daleo]

2. Didn't Harper appoint a unilingual English-speaking Albertan

As our representative to la Francophonie? I recall something like that. Maybe this is a bit of fallout.

[gula]

3. Yes he did

Just one of his insulting appointments.

[CHIMO]

4. Right On

New parliamentary secretary to Francophonie can't speak French
Last Updated Fri, 10 Feb 2006 07:30:15 EST

Francophone groups and opposition MPs are raising concerns about an appointment in Stephen Harper's government after learning the parliametary secretary for la Francophonie doesn't speak French.

Alberta MP Ted Menzies was sworn in on Monday as parliamentary secretary to la Francophonie and Official Languages Minister Josee Verner. He was also made parliamentary secretary to the minister of international co-operation.

"We have two official languages in this country. Not just French. Not just English. We have two official languages," said Menzies.

Who better to represent Canada's two official languages than a minister from Quebec for the French and a parliamentary secretary for the English, he said.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/02/10/menzies-french060210.html

And then one day later.

Unilingual Tory relieved to know he's not responsible for francophonie
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Published: Saturday, February 11, 2006


OTTAWA -- Ted Menzies, a unilingual Tory MP, is relieved to know that his new parliamentary secretary duties really don't include responsibility for the francophonie and official languages.

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=b961ccf4-18c0-4d0d-81f0-201699d4e297&k=35582

But big Daddy takes care of all. Unfortunately it is now a locked item.

In Harper's regime, Big Daddy knows best
By IAN BROWN


Saturday, May 13, 2006, Page F1

[Swede]

5. Well he did appoint a racist to the First Nations board.

Harper is a real piece of work.

[Telly Savalas]

6. Let's get our priorities straight.

People who want to buy plasma-screen TV's are going to be able to save $25 on GST. What's more important here?

[Spazito]

7. Yep, and when that didn't work he replaced the racist with someone

who wants journalists jailed. Harper political acumen is still on display it seems, lol.