Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
National Security and Defence

Issue 17 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Monday, May 12, 2003
(31)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence met this day, at 4 p.m., in room 172-E, Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Colin Kenny, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Cordy, Day, Forrestall, Kenny and Wiebe (6).

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch, Library of Parliament: Grant Purves and Grant Dawson, Analysts; Major General (Ret'd) Keith McDonald, Senior Military Adviser; Chief Superintendent Jean-Pierre Witty, RCMP Liaison Officer; Sandeep Mukerji, Legislative Clerk, Veronica Morris, Communications Officer.

Also in attendance: From the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic: His Excellency Baktybek Abdrissaev, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic, Daniar Mukashev, Attaché and Kam Chybek Omerzakov, Assistant to the Speaker.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, October 30, 2002, the committee proceeded upon its examination on the need for a national security policy for Canada. (See Issue No. 1, Monday, November 4, 2002, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

WITNESSES:

From the Kyrgyz Republic:

The Honourable Abdygany Erkebaev, M.P., Speaker of the Legislative Assembly;

Mr. Tashpolot Baltabaev, M.P.;

Mr. Asan Raimkulov, M.P.;

Mr. Zakir Sharapov, M.P.

From the Navy League of Canada:

Vice-Admiral (Ret'd) Gary L. Garnett, National Vice-President for Maritime Affairs;

Captain (N) (Ret'd) John Dewar, Member, Maritime Affairs.

From Dalhousie University:

Professor Danford W. Middlemiss, Department of Political Science.

As an individual:

Vice-Admiral James King (Ret'd).

The Honourable Erkebaev made a statement and with Mr. Baltabaev, Mr. Raimkulov and Mr. Sharapov, responded to questions.

At 4:48 p.m., the committee suspended its sitting.

At 5:00 p.m., in accordance with rule 92(2)(e) and (f) the committee continued its meeting in camera in room 160-S (Subcommittee Room), Centre Block.

The committee considered its draft agenda and its draft report.

At 6:07 p.m., the committee suspended its sitting.

At 6:10 p.m., the committee continued its meeting in public in room 160-S, Centre Block.

Vice-Admiral Garnett made a statement and with Captain Dewar responded to questions.

At 7:42 p.m., the committee suspended its sitting.

At 7:48 p.m., the committee resumed its sitting.

Professor Middlemiss made a statement and responded to questions.

Vice-Admiral King made a statement and responded to questions.

Pursuant to the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, October 28, 2002, the following material was filed as exhibits with the Clerk.

• [``Opening Statement'' by Vice-Admiral Gary L. Garnett, from the Navy League of Canada, May 12, 2003] (Exhibit 5900-2.37/N2-SS-1, 17, ``73'')
• [``Cooperative Ocean Information Network Pacific, An Overview'' from the Navy League of Canada, May 12, 2003] (Exhibit 5900-2.37/N2-SS-1, 17, ``74'')
• [``Condensed version of Canada, An Incomplete Maritime Nation'' from the Navy League of Canada, May 12, 2003] (Exhibit 5900-2.37/N2-SS-1, 17, ``75'')
• [``The Maritime Dimension of a Canadian National Security Policy: Some Preliminary Observations'' by Dr. Dan Middlemiss, Department of Political Science, Dalhousie University, May 12, 2003] (Exhibit 5900-2.37/N2-SS-1, 17, ``76'')
• [``Statement of Vice-Admiral James King (Retired)'', May 12, 2003] (Exhibit 5900-2.37/N2-SS-1, 17, ``77'')

At 9:08 p.m., the committee suspended its sitting.

At 9:10 p.m., in accordance with rule 92(2)(f), the committee continued its meeting in camera in room 160-S (Subcommittee Room), Centre Block.

The committee considered its draft report.

At 9:42 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Barbara Reynolds

Clerk of the Committee