bout de papier, Vol. 11, No. 3 (1994) — Fall 1994 // Automne 1994, p. 28
A graduate of Dalhousie University, Arthur Andrew worked with the Canadian Press in Halifax for two years before serving from 1939-46 as an officer in the Canadian Army in Canada, U.K., Italy and Northwest Europe. He joined External Affairs in 1947, serving overseas in Bonn, Vienna and Prague before becoming from 1962-65 Ambassador to Israel with dual accreditation to Cyprus. Ambassador to Sweden 1965-69 and Ambassador to Greece 1976-80.
In 1964 the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), including a Canadian Brigade, was sent to separate the quarrelling Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Ottawa had previously been dependent on British information about Cyprus. Arthur wrote the first Canadian reports on the Byzantine intrigues of Cyprus politics.
During his tour as Ambassador to Sweden from 1965-69 he began negotiations with Chinese Ambassador Wang Tung on the terms for recognition and establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and the People’s Republic of China. Returning to Canada he had the satisfaction of supervising the completion of the negotiations leading to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1970 and the PRC taking over China’s seat in the United Nations. During this period he rose from Director of the Far Eastern Division to Assistant Under- Secretary. From 1976-80 he was Ambassador to Greece.
After retiring in 1980 he was a visiting professor for five years at the School of Journalism of King’s College, Halifax, a stimulating job which helped him to formulate his views on Canadian diplomacy in his era.
During a year as Foreign Service Visitor at the University of Toronto 1969-70 Arthur published a book “Defence by Other Means — Diplomacy for the Underdog.” In 1993 he published “The Rise and Fall of a Middle Power” which criticized both Prime Ministers Trudeau and Mulroney for the erosion of Canadian influence as a well-placed middle power. Arthur was a true Maritimer, proud of Nova Scotia’s contribution to Confederation. He was a puckish deflator of the pompous and a constructive cynic. He and Joyce, his wife of 54 years, earned a warm place in the hearts of colleagues within and outside the Foreign Service. Arthur died in Halifax May 31, 1994.
Arthur Menzies
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 11, No. 3 (1994) — Fall 1994 // Automne 1994, p. 28. Read the rest of this issue →
