Chretien backs U.S. on Arafat - Mideast plan pushed at G8

Toronto Sun ^ | June 26, 2002 | Maria McClintock, Ottawa Bureau

[Clive]

CALGARY -- Prime Minister Jean Chretien told U.S. President George Bush that it "might be a good thing" that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat be ousted.

Chretien made the surprise statement during a photo opportunity with Bush shortly after he arrived yesterday at the Kananaskis resort where the G8 meetings officially begin today.

"The president talks about perhaps it would be better to replace Mr. Arafat. I don't have a specific point of view on that. I think it might be a good thing," Chretien said yesterday.

"I don't want to comment on that. We need a quick election there and to produce the best leadership with it."

Bush calls for a provisional Palestinian state erected on the shoulders of a new generation of leaders other than Arafat.

"I'm told there will be elections before the end of the year," Chretien said as Bush sat at his side.

Later senior government officials attempted to clarify the PM's remarks.

"I think he said it might be a good thing. I think he was speculative and he was ... making an emphasis on the comments by saying after that he was for free elections," an official said.

Chretien and the other G8 leaders will discuss the Middle East crisis further at a dinner tonight.

Earlier in the day U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci said that Bush will be lobbying the leaders for support of his peace blueprint. Cellucci refused to concede reports that Bush's peace initiative for the Middle East wouldn't overtake the G8 agenda -- particularly Chretien's much ballyhooed Africa plan.

"I don't think that will happen. The president really wanted to make this announcement last week. "

The red carpet was rolled out for Bush who was greeted at the Calgary airport by an RCMP honour guard, and Health Minister Anne McLellan.

[Clive]

Caveat:

Our 'ti Jean can be impulsive at times.

let us see if there is a foolow-through.

[Clive]

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[Snowyman]

We need a quick election there and to produce the best leadership with it. He needs to take his own advice.

[monkeyshine]

I don't have a specific point of view on that. I think it might be a good thing

Could the guy be any more wishy washy?

Maybe he's just trying to keep the debate open. I have a feeling that most of the G8 is opposed to Bush's proposal. He likely doesn't want to alienate the Europeans.