Canadian Silence On U.S. Urged

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30802, 14 July 1965, Page 15

Canadian Silence On U.S. Urged

(NZ.P A.-Reuter —Cop 1/ right!

OTTAWA, July 13.

Canada should avoid disagreeing in public with the United States on critical world issues where Canada has no special interests, a special joint report prepared for the two Governments said today.

The report, ordered by President Johnson and Mr Lester Pearson, Canadian Prime Minister, after a meeting early in 1964, was drawn up by two men who have been Ambassadors in the respective capitals—Mr Livingston Merchant, of the U.S., and Mr Arnold Heeney, of Canada.

The report noted that the U.S. had heavy responsibilities as leader of the “free world.” and added: “It is important and reasonable that Canadian .authorities should have careful regard for the U.S. Government’s position in this world context and, in the absence of special Canadian interests or obligations, avoid so far as possible public disagreement, especially upon critical issues.” This did not mean that Canada should automatically and uniformly concur in U.S. foreign policy decision. But it was “in the abiding interest of both countries that wherever possible divergent 'views between the two Governments should be expressed and if possible re-

solved in private, through diplomatic channels.” The report said the U.S should be continuously alert to the potential impact on Canada of American actions.

especially in the economic area: tariffs, quotas and fiscal and monetary affairs. It suggested prompt consultation on application of

the U.S. Trading with the Enemy Act, under which in recent years the United States has objected to Canadian exports of grain-hand-ling equipment to China, and similar industrial equipment to Cuba.