The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.1964, Page 19

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
17
and peoples is generally mirrored in
a favourable light. While in some
countries the image is more distinct
than in others, I think there are few,
if any, countries where Canada presents
a threatening or unfriendly face. If
Canadian representatives ever experi-
ence embarrassment abroad, it is not
because they meet hostility—it is rather
because so much is expected of a coun-
try with an international reputation
for helpfulness and for forward look-
ing policies.
Canada today has direct bilateral
relations with a large majority of the
world’s countries. Through various
aspects of these bilateral relations there
is an opportunity for building confi-
dence based on understanding and
goodwill. But increasingly bilateral
relations between countries are
expanding into complex international
relations. The growing interdepend-
ence of the modern world is reflected
in the great increase in the number
of international gatherings or organ-
izations. They are too numerous to
mention but they deal with every
aspect of human interest and activity
today. Whether it is the United Na-
tions, GATT, ILO or the Conference
to promote trade and development in
the less developed parts of the world,
the deliberations are usually followed
by decisions which in the long run
will have profound consequences for
every individual in this country and in
other countries.
The favourable image of Canada to
which I have referred has been
developed in large part, not because
of any accident of geography but be-
cause at a score of international gather-
ings the voice of Canada has usually
been quietly constructive in helping
to shape agreements and to reach ac-
ceptable solutions which serve not only
the immediate interests of this coun-
try but also the wide interests of the
international community.
® Part II on the international situ-
ation and impressions of the people of
the Far East will appear in the next
issue.