Lögberg-Heimskringla - 05.12.2003, Blaðsíða 3

Lögberg-Heimskringla • 5 Desember 2003 • page 3
Continued from Page 1
Canada Welcomes His Excellency Guðmundur
Eiríksson, Iceland’s New Ambassador to Canada
Guðmundsdóttir,
Menntaskólinn, Reykjavík; and
Helga, currently attending
Ashbury College in Ottawa.
Ambassador Eiríksson has a sis-
ter Guðný Eiríksdóttir working
as a biochemist in Iceland and a
brother Erik Brynjolfur
Eiriksson living in Courtney,
BC. When asked how his chil-
dren felt as they moved from
Iceland to Costa Rica, and now
Helga moving to Canada, the
Ambassador proudly stated,
“They are great troopers in their
willingness to take on new chal-
lenges.”
Iceland and Canada
Discussing his passion for
his work, the Ambassador
clearly stated, “International
Law and the Law of the Sea are
preoccupations with the
Icelandic nation and her people;
Iceland’s entire existence is
influenced by the rules of the
Law of the Sea. One might say
that I was bom into it.” The
Ambassador went on to explain
that Iceland’s role with
International Law, Human
Rights, and the Law of the Sela
has greatly influenced develop-
ing nations, as they have been
able to see themselves as equal
partners within the law making
process.
Iceland’s success in influ-
encing the Law of the Sea ele-
vated the confidence and bene-
fit to such nations and Canada is
a worthy ally in continuing such
pursuits. Often, a nation’s
involvement in international
reíations is influenced by
“desire versus ability; Canada
has both,” the Ambassador
explained. CIDA (Canadian
International Development
Agency) recognizes Canada’s
unique role in sustaining peace
in conjunction with develop-
ment. It seems apparent that
Iceland and Canada are well
suited to work side-by-side in
such pursuits.
It is an understatement to
say that Ambassador Eiríksson
has a wealth of knowledge and
experience in the area of
International Law, Law of the
Sea, and Human Rights. As
Iceland moves closer toward its
goal of occupying a seat on the
United Nations Security
Council in 2008, Iceland’s
Ambassador to Canada,
Guðmundur Eiríksson will play
a significant role informing and
involving the Canadian-
Icelandic community.
Ambassador Eiríksson in
Canada
When asked about his
knowledge and understanding
of the Icelandic-Canadian com-
munities, Ambassador
Eiríksson smilingly proclaimed,
“I have been reading the
Lögberg-Heimskringla all of
my life.” Influenced by his
mother, Guðrún Guðmunds-
dóttir of Gerði in Garður, in
Iceland and his Aunt Katrín
Brynjólfs in Winnipeg, the role
of the relationship between
Canada and Iceland was always
within his focus.
He credits the adfnirable
network of Icelandic Consuls
within Canada for helping to
maintain such a high Icelandic
profile within our country.
Ambassador EinTcsson is keenly
aware of two concerns often
voiced within the Icelandic-
Canadian community regarding
the desire and need for direct
flights to Iceland from Canada
and the marketing of Icelandic
lamb. He sees positive signs
that negotiations will continue
and that progress will be made.
He also refen'ed to the obvious
links that exist between
Iceland’s mandate to be at the
X DRUG MART
“Everything you want in a Drug Store’
Ron Corrigal Pharmacy Ltd.
377 Main Street
Selkirk, MBR1A1T7
Phone: 204.482.5600

Monday - Friday 9 am -12 midnight
Saturday 9 am - 8 pm
Sunday and most holidays 12 noon - 6 pm
forefront of advancing the
Hydrogen Economy and
Canada’s future energy require-
ments. The connections and
interests are strong.
Ambassador Eiríksson
could not help but applaud the
recent Govemor General’s State
Visit to Iceland by Her
Excellency the Right
Honourable Adrienne Clarkson
and His Excellency John
Ralston Saul and the ties that
were strengthened between the
Icelandic Embassy in Canada,
the Govemment of Iceland, the
Canadian Govemment, and its
representative contingent.
Ambassador Eiríksson clearly
appreciates the role that
Icelandic-Canadians and
Icelanders have played and con-
tinue to play in the growth and
development of Canada. But
along with his appreciation he
delights in the recognition noted
outside of the Icelandic-
Canadian community toward
Icelandic contributions.
Governor General Adrienne
Clarkson has made a point of
drawing the Ambassador’s
attention to recent awards being
bestowed upon Canadians of
Icelandic descent: Most recent-
ly, teacher Peter Bjomson from
Gimli High School, Evergreen
School Division, received the
Governor GeneraVs Award for
Excellence for Teaching
Canadian History, and philan-
thropist Jim Pitblado received
the Ramon John Hnatyshyn
Award for Volunteerism. As he
told of the honours bestowed
upon the two gentlemen, the
Ambassador’s obvious admira-
His Excellency Guðmundur Eiríksson
tion for his people’s work and
accomplishments was stirring.
Canadians of Icelandic
descent and all Canadians wel-
come His Excellency
Guðmundur Eiríksson,
Iceland’s Ambassador to
Canada, to his new post. We
anticipate continued leaming,
growth, and strengthened ties
between the national home of
our forefathers and mothers and
look forward towaid the many
ways and opportunities that as
Canadians, we might strive
toward betterment for all. It is
clear that Ambassador
Eiríksson’s world vision and
vast experience will do much to
foster and help us realize these
goals and dreams.
Visit our website to
find out more about lceland
The Ambassador of Iceland in Canada, Guðmundur Eiríksson,
his wife Þórey Vigdís Ólafsdóttir as well as Helga Bertelsen and the Staff of the
Embassy in Ottawa send their very best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year to all the readers of the Lögberg-Heimskring/a.
0
Gleðilegjól • Gott ogfarsœlt nýtt árl
Embassy of Iceland
360 Albert Street, Suite 710, Ottawa, ON KlR 7X7
Tel: 613.482.1944 Fax: 613.482.1945
VÍsit us at our Homepage: www.iceland.org/ca or iceland.ca
Visit us on the weh at http://www.logberg.com