Ambassador Assignments

Canadian Diplomats Reflect on Our Place in the World

By (author) David C. Reece
Categories: Diplomacy, International relations, Politics and government, Society and Social Sciences
Publisher: Fitzhenry & Whiteside
Hardcover : 9781550410747, 200 pages, January 2007

Table of contents

Contents

Introduction

Washington Years
     Derek Burney

Reminiscences of a High Commissioner to the United Kingdom: 1985-1988
     Chief Justice Roy McMurtry

Revolution in China; Troubles in Lebanon
     Jack Maybee

The Canadian Embassy to the Holy See
     E. P. Black

Accredited to a Northern Kingdom - Denmark and Greenland
     D. Armstrong

Correspondant: Lagos 1966
     Andre Couvrette

A is for Aristide
     John W. Graham

An Interview with Ambassador Arthur Menzies
     Tom Earle

L'Aube du Transport Hypersonique
     Charles Bédard

Fighting Apartheid: South Africa 1982-1986
     Edward G. Lee, Q. C.

Getting Started in Korea, 1973-1977
     John A. Stiles

Watching the Polish Roller Coaster, 1980-1983
     John M. Fraser

Souvenirs d'ambassade; La Conférence des Ministres Africains Francophones de l'Education: Libreville, Gabon, 1968
     Elmo Thibault

Diplomatic Reflections of Indonesia: 1974-1977
     Peter Johnston

A Mission to Algeria: The Ambassador as Trade Commissioner
     Louis A. Delvoie

Ghana, South Africa and Cuba Some: Selected Memories
     R. H. Middleton

China
     Fred Bild

How We Became "A Nation Of The Americas": Reflections Of A Permanent Observer"
     Ken Williamson

Foreign Policy on the Frontiers. Canada-Burma Relations
     John G. Hadwen

Description

Whether guarding our interests in Washington during sensitive talks on free trade, acid rain and the environment, fighting Apartheid in South Africa, witnessing the Communist revolution in China, or representing this country to the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or the Vatican, Canadian ambassadors are the eyes, ears and voice of Canada on the world stage.

In this insightful, candid, and at times humorous look at the role and many responsibilities of the men and women in our foreign service, nineteen Canadian ambassadors – (high commissioners in Commonwealth countries) – reflect on the diplomacy required, the clash of cultures, and occasionally dangerous conditions encountered in the service of their country.

Canadian interests in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, as well as other parts of the globe are also discussed, whether they are political or trade related, have to do with foreign aid, culture, immigration, security, or peace-keeping, as well as a host of other worldwide concerns.

So too, is the role played by our foreign service in offering assistance to Canadians travelling or working in foreign countries.

Reviews

"An insightful, candid and at times humorous look at the role and responsibilities of the men and women in our foreign service,"
-- The Waterloo Record