A Canadian scholar on Asia, Thomas S. Axworthy, has urged Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien to see whether Canada could play a role in helping the Tibet-China dialogue move forward. Axworthy, who served the Canadian government for many years, including as principal secretary to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, asked Chretien to raise this during his meeting with Chinese leaders in Beijing in October.
In an op-ed titled “China the Key to a Peaceful Asia” in the Canadian newspaper National Post on September 24, 2003, Axworthy wrote,
“One way to use these assets is to explore whether Canada can play a useful role in helping China move forward on Tibet. Prime Minister Chretien will be in Beijing in October, 2003: the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, will be visiting Canada in April, 2004. An autonomous Tibet, existing within the security perimeter of China, is a solution waiting to happen. Representatives of the Tibetan government in exile and the Chinese have already begun to talk.
“There may be no role for Canada. But like Norway offering a neutral locale for the first formal talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Canada might provide a locale and facilitation to expedite the Tibetan-Chinese dialogue. The Prime Minister should explore this with the Chinese, and if they are receptive, talks could begin prior to the Dalai Lama’s Canadian visit. Gravenhurst, the birthplace of Bethune, would make a wonderful symbolic locale. China is the key to a peaceful Asia: Settling its dispute amicably with the Tibetans would be one more step in making China a leader among nations.”
Axworthy is currently the chairman of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, which is ” an independent, not-for-profit think tank on Canada’s relations with Asia. It undertakes research and develops and distributes timely information and focused analysis for business and policy makers.”
He served with the Government of Canada in various posts beginning in 1974 as Special Assistant on Urban Policy to the Minister of State for Urban Affairs and Special Assistant (Cabinet Briefing) to the Minister of National Revenue. In 1975 he became the Special Assistant, Office of the Prime Minister, 1977 Policy Advisor; 1978 Assistant Principal Secretary (Policy). In 1979 he acted as Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Leader of the Opposition as well as Acting Director for the Liberal Caucus Research Bureau. He taught at Queen’s University in the Department of Political Studies part-time during 1979-80. From 1981 to 1984 he was the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of Canada. He has taught at John F. Kennedy School at Harvard University.
