7 September 1999: Canadian position paper for APEC side meeting in Auckland

The Canadian position paper for APEC summed up Ottawa’s attempt to have it both ways: “Any foreign intervention would require the consent of the Government of Indonesia,” it stated. The trick would be to push Indonesia to consent: “Indonesia must assume its responsibilities for security in East Timor or allow the international community to assist.” If Indonesia agreed to an Australian-led “coalition of the willing,” Canada “would likely be supportive” but could not guarantee to take part. Prime minister Jean Chrétien and French president Jacques Chirac had agreed to propose that all G7 ambassadors make a joint demarche to Habibie, but Canada was not considering any sanctions to increase pressure.