[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 22, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S7814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             FRICTION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I watched the news last night with a great 
deal of distress. Our Nation is in a situation that is intolerable with 
our long and faithful friend to our North. I don't quite understand the 
crux of the situation but I will become familiar with it and the 
history that has brought us to this inexcusable and terrible 
confrontation, that now exists on the west coast of British Columbia.
  I have been occupied with the death of my mother and have been 
somewhat out of the loop of events and the deterioration of the 
relationship on our west coast. I knew there were circumstances which 
was causing friction among the fishing fleets of both the United States 
and Canada. The salmon runs have been of historic proportions in our 
Alaskan waters but as one works to the south toward the coast of Canada 
and the lower west coast of the United States, the runs are not as 
good.
  A year ago, when the American-Canadian Inner-Parliamentary Meeting 
was held on the Alaskan coast while traveling from Prince Rupert, 
British Columbia, to Skagway, Alaska, there were discussions of the 
situation but there was no resolution. Both the Members of the Canadian 
Parliament and the Members of the American Congress were reluctant to 
dig deeper into the situation. Now we have a full-fledged crisis on our 
hands and it is separated from this Nation or Canada by an ocean. It is 
here and it is serious.
  Canadian subjects held an American flag ship by barricading it. That 
is a vessel that sails a regular schedule from Seattle to the coastal 
ports of Canada and Alaska. It was held along with all passengers, 
cargo, and United States mail aboard. I am outraged any action of this 
kind was allowed to exist in this hemisphere. If it were any other 
place on this planet, this Government and all Americans would have been 
outraged. No other place would this Nation allow this kind of action to 
happen.
  I was outraged when I saw the American flag burned by one, I assume, 
barricading the vessel. I, for one in this body, demand the Government 
of Canada deal with this situation and with those who would have a 
complete disrespect for the flag of this Nation. It is the single most 
powerful symbol of the free world. I would hope no citizen in this 
country would ever do any repulsive act to the national colors of our 
friends in Canada. We should not nor shall not retaliate in such 
fashion. We should, however, focus on this situation and get it settled 
as honorable nations do.
  I cannot believe this administration has not taken action earlier to 
defuse this confrontation. I live in Montana and the relationship 
between Alberta and Montana has been one of great respect and 
friendship. Yes, that relationship is strained from time to time. But, 
that is to be expected among neighbors. But, never has our respect for 
each other ever been reduced to the actions now being displayed at Port 
Rupert, British Columbia, as we speak.
  I plead with the President to get personally involved with the 
leaders of Canada and work it out and not let this wound fester and 
become uncontrollable. Our long and deep friendship with Canada is at 
stake and it is serious.
  I plan to appeal to the Foreign Relations Committee of the United 
States Senate to look into this and would hope there is resolve within 
this body to deal with it and find a solution acceptable to Canada and 
the United States.
  I appeal to both the Foreign Relations Committee and the President. 
Please do not stand idly by while someone burns my flag and barricades 
my ship. I do not plan to take this lightly and I also appeal strongly 
to the leaders of Canada to take actions that would defuse the 
confrontation and deal harshly with those who show no respect for 
either their own country or the United States of America.

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