Discovering the Americas: The Evolution of Canadian Foreign Policy Towards Latin America

313 Pages·1993·16.29 MB·English

by  James Rochlin

Discovering the Americas
Over much of this century Canada played only a minor role in hemispheric
affairs. In recent years, dramatic changes have occurred which have catapulted
Canada to the role of full partner in the Americas. These include Canada's
decision to enter the Organization of American States as a full member, its
involvement in the NAFTA negotiations, its peacekeeping role in Central Amer-
ica, and its support for a process of hemispheric integration.
Discovering the Americas provides a systematic analysis of the evolution of
Canadian foreign policy towards Latin America. The central thesis of the book
is that changing hegemonic structures represent the most significant factor
shaping Canadian policy in the region. Rochlin argues that the emergence, in
the late 1980s and 1990s, of global trading blocs and the trend towards ideolog-
ical convergence have opened up new opportunities for Canada in the hemi-
sphere. Although Canadian interest in Latin America has waxed and waned over
the century, Canada's role in inter-American affairs has become increasingly
entrenched and is unlikely to recede.
fames Rochlin is Research Fellow at the Centre for Latin American and Caribbean
Studies at York University and Professor in the Department of Political Science
at Okanagan University College, Kelowna, BC.
Canada and International Relations
1 David G. Haglund, ed. The New Geopolitics of Minerals: Canada and
International Resource Trade
2 Donald McRae and Gordon Munro, eds. Canadian Oceans Policy:
National Strategies and the New Law of the Sea
3 Theodore H. Cohn. The International Politics of Agricultural Trade:
Canadian-American Relations in a Global Agricultural Context
4 Russell S. Uhler, ed. Canada-United States Trade in Forest Products
5 A. Claire Cutler and Mark W. Zacher, eds. Canadian Foreign Policy and
International Economic Regimes
6 Andrew F. Cooper, Richard A. Higgott, and Kim Richard Nossal.
Relocating Middle Powers: Australia and Canada in a Changing World
Order
7 Lawrence T. Woods. Asia-Pacific Diplomacy: Nongovernmental Organi-
zations and International Relations
8 James Rochlin. Discovering the Americas: The Evolution of Canadian
Foreign Policy Towards Latin America
fames Rochlin
Discovering the Americas:
The Evolution of Canadian Foreign
Policy Towards Latin America
UBCPress Vancouver
UBC Press 1994
All rights reserved
Printed on acid-free paper °°
ISBN 0-7748-0476-9 (hardcover)
ISBN 0-7748-0477-7 (paperback)
Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data
Rochlin, James Francis, 1956-
Discovering the Americas
(Canada and international relations, ISSN 0847-0510; 8)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-7748-0476-9 (bound). - ISBN 0-7748-0477-7 (pbk.)
1. Canada - Foreign relations - Latin America. 2. Latin
America - Foreign relations - Canada. I. Title. II. Series.
FC244.L3R63 1993 327.7108 C93-091601-8 F1029.5.L29R63 1993
Publication of this book was made possible by ongoing support from the Canada
Council, the Province of British Columbia Cultural Services Branch, and the
Department of Communications of the Government of Canada.
Set in Stone by Vancouver Desktop Publishing Centre
Printed and bound in Canada by D.W. Friesen & Sons Ltd.
UBC Press
6344 Memorial Rd
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
(604) 822-3259
Fax: [phone]
To all those who have struggled for social justice in the
Americas
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Contents
Acknowledgments / ix
Maps / x
Introduction: Canada and Latin America / 3
Part One: Distant Neighbours / 9
1 First Encounters / 11
2 The Cold War: Diverging Paths / 33
3 Ideological Pluralism: Cuba and the Dominican Republic / 49
Part Two: The Trudeau Years / 63
4 New Approaches / 65
5 1968-73: Early Promise / 75
6 1974-9: Gathering Strength / 92
7 1980-4: Crisis and the End of an Era / 108
Part Three: The Mulroney Years / 143
8 1984-8: The Predominance of Central America / 145
9 The North American Free Trade Agreement / 166
10 Canada and the Organization of American States / 190
11 Security and Conflict Resolution / 203
Conclusion / 227
Appendix / 237
Notes / 249
Bibliography / 289
Index / 293
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Acknowledgments
I am indebted to a number of people who helped during the preparation
of this work. Professor Liisa North provided lucid observations regarding
a previous draft. I am grateful to Professor Larry Pratt for his inspiration
and remarkable savvy. I am also very thankful to Peter Milroy and Jean
Wilson of UBC Press for their warm encouragement and astute profes-
sionalism.
Edgar Dosman helped facilitate some of the research. Kelly Beardmore
did a truly superb job as research assistant. I am grateful to the library
staff at Okanagan University College, especially Anne Cossentine, Garth
Homer, Faith Peyton, and Gwen Zilm. Carla Lundy provided crucial
administrative assistance.
Needed support and helpful diversion came by way of Ruth, Woody,
Nicky, Minnie, and Balloo. And a special thanks goes to Janice and Alan.
Research was conducted with the assistance of the Academic Relations
Division of External Affairs and International Trade Canada. Generous
funding was provided by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research
Council of Canada, the Canadian Institute for International Peace and
Security, and the Cooperative Security Competition Program.