bout de papier, Vol. 24, No. 2 (2009) — Spring 2009 // Printemps 2009, p. 3
We are all delighted that our two colleagues, Louis Guay and Robert Fowler, have been released by their kidnappers and have now returned home to Canada to be with their families, friends and colleagues. Their kidnapping last year, while on a UN Mission in Africa, reminds us all of the dangers foreign service personnel face while serving Canada and the international community.
We are grateful to all those who undertook the delicate task of putting in place the necessary arrangements for their release. For the readers of bout, many of whom are required to live in places where kidnappings and other forms of violence and criminal activity are common, it is reassuring that the necessary can be and was done to secure Louis’ and Bob’s safe release. bout thanks those involved.
In this issue of bout we have several articles looking at the time that has been called the “Golden Age” of Canadian diplomacy. The articles look at the 1950s from very different perspectives and different ends of the proverbial telescope.
We are very fortunate to provide an extract from Andrew Cohen’s book Lester B. Pearson. It is an excerpt from Chapter Five, entitled “Canada’s Boy Wonder;” which covers some of Pearson’s career during the 1940s and 1950s when he was first Under-Secretary of External Affairs, and then Secretary of State for External Affairs.
In “From the Archives,’ Hector Mackenzie has found an April 1953 letter written by Doug Le Pan, then serving in the Embassy in Washington, to Escott Reid, Canada’s High Commissioner to India, turning down the latter’s request that he move to New Delhi. It is a well-written letter, a joy to read, and full of gossip about postings.
Former Ambassador Michael Shenstone provides a new officer’s perspective by sharing with us a letter he wrote to his parents in September 1952 recounting his first week in the foreign service. Among his early discoveries was that he was expected to write a Letter of Instruction to the new Canadian Ambassador in The Hague and that this was to be done by cribbing wholesale from old Letters of Instruction. Some things do not change.
Robert Burchill recounts the story of his almost frustrated attempt to join the foreign service in 1963, the result of over-suspicious security officials turning a distant mole hill into a near mountain, placing a large obstacle to his entry. Fortunately for those of us who have had the pleasure of working with Robert, saner heads possessing common sense and influence, prevailed.
We sadly bid adieu to three colleagues in the “In Memoriam” section. Dwight Fulford had a long interest in foreign affairs before, during and after his career. In addition, he was a fine gentleman, full of human decency.
Arthur Frederick Broadbridge served Canada first during the Second World War, then joined the foreign service in 1949. He too saw the golden age of Canadian diplomacy as a young officer.
We also say goodbye to Witold Weynerowski, who joined External in the 1960s. He was a dynamic officer who left lasting impressions on those around him.
Roger Lucy provides us with a look at a “special relationship” where a former colony eventually overshadows the mother country. It is the story of Venice and Constantinople, and is full of interesting details and the twists and turns of a complex relationship.
Shifting time frames, Terry Jones has written a poem reflecting on his experience in Washington, D.C. on the day President Obama was inaugurated.
In this issue we have two book reviews. The first by Patricia Marsden Dole of Terry Keenleyside’s book Missing the Bus: Making the Connection, a collection of 39 short stories.
Gar Pardy has reviewed Thomas Ricks’ book The Gamble: General David Petraeus and the American Military Adventure in Iraq which covers the change to American strategy instituted by the General.
We close the issue with another of A Aalto’s puzzles which challenges us to solve it with cryptic clues.
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 24, No. 2 (2009) — Spring 2009 // Printemps 2009, p. 3. Read the rest of this issue →
