Published by: World Tibet Network News Sunday, November 9, 1997

Editorials - The Ottawa Citizen

Saturday 8 November 1997

A new, less ferocious Lucien Bouchard has emerged in China. Relying on the good offices of the Canadian ambassador, he is meeting all the right people, signing multimillion-dollar contracts for Quebec companies and receiving VIP treatment from China.

And, for now at least, he's the leader of a province, not a nation-in-waiting. "I am travelling as a Canadian," he told reporters, adding that foreign policy is the federal government's call. We hope (but doubt) he will remember this next time he's tempted to discuss recognition of Quebec sovereignty with France.

Reporters naturally wondered what Mr. Bouchard thought about Tibet, which was invaded by China in 1959 and struggles still to regain its independence. "I have absolutely no desire to get involved in that," Mr. Bouchard replied. "I am not concerned with political questions in China."

Now if we can only get him to be a Canadian even when it isn't diplomatically convenient.