Canada Prepares For G8 Mediation
June 6th, 2007
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been trying to make friends in view of this week's G8 summit.
Critics allege that the Conservative leader's pre-conference efforts have focused on minimising international criticism over Canada's failure to meet Kyoto carbon emission goals.
After meeting German chancellor, and host, Angela Merkel at the beginning of the week, Harper is set to dine with French president Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday. Both Merkel and Sarkozy have environmental concerns at the top of their agendas - Germany will be lobbying for a global carbon trading system and France has proposed an import tax for countries outside the Kyoto accord.
The US strongly opposes those two propositions, which will force Canada into the role of mediator between Europe and the States.
Harper also hopes for recognition of Canada's "unique problems to reduce greenhouse gases" - G8 friendships aside, such recognition could inspire domestic support for the recently-unveiled Canadian Environmental Plan, which has met with fierce criticism at home.
He could also seek support for increasing troop numbers in southern Afghanistan.
