Chrétien and Putin Talk Arms Control

Russian President Seeks Canadian Support

Dateline: 12/18/00

Russian President Vladimir Putin is on his first official visit to Canada, looking to improve his country's trade relationship with Canada, and trying to line up support from Canada to oppose the new missile defense system proposed by the United States.

At the end of meetings in Ottawa, Prime Minister Chrétien and President Putin issued a joint statement on strategic stability that re-affirmed the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty as a "cornerstone for strategic stability," and hopes for the conclusion of a START III Treaty as soon as possible.

While Putin has been clear that he considers the proposed U.S. missile defense system a threat to world stability, Chrétien would say only that there are many questions still to be answered, including how the Bush administration plans to proceed. He told a news conference "we are in a bit of a geographical bind in a way, because Russia is on one side and on the other side is the Americans. So we want to assess all the consequences this program could have for Canada."

Two other joint statements issued by Canada and the Russian Federation today were on:

• Co-operation in the Arctic and the North
• Russia's Accession to the World Trade Organization

President Putin moves on to Toronto, where he is expected to do an "Invest in Russia" sales pitch when he speaks to the Empire Club on Tuesday.

Right now, exports to Russia account for only 0.2 percent of Canada's international business. Many Canadian businesses withdrew from Russia during its currency crisis in 1998. An agreement to make it easier for Canadians to invest in Russia is being negotiated.

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Joint Statements With Russian Federation
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Arms Control - Dept. of Foreign Affairs