Embassy Row

Apology to Canada

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich this week apologized to Canadian Ambassador Frank McKenna for spreading the myth that some of the September 11 terrorists entered the United States from Canada.

Mr. Gingrich, in a letter Wednesday to the ambassador, said, “Please accept my apology to the Canadian people for perpetuating the error; one I am sure that has been very painful to them.

“Because facts are important, I always strive to be precise, so let me say that I will strenuously do what I can to help Canada set the public record straight and correct the myth.”

He added that he was “retracting my statement without qualification.”

Mr. Gingrich, in an appearance Monday on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity and Colmes” show, said, “Far more of the 9/11 terrorists came across Canada than from Mexico.”

Mr. McKenna, in a letter to Mr. Gingrich on Tuesday, complained that his “comments perpetuate an urban legend that can take on a life of its own, especially when repeated by people whose opinions are deeply respected in the United States such as yours.”

The ambassador noted that John Ashcroft, who was attorney general at the time, and the government’s September 11 commission report both concluded that none of the terrorists entered the United States through Canada.

The letters are posted on the embassy’s Web site (www.canadianembassy.org).

Germany’s quest

Germany is perplexed over the Bush administration’s failure to offer public support for its campaign for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, while endorsing Japan’s quest, said Germany’s ambassador to the United Nations.

The attitude in Germany is: “How can the United States not accept Germany if it accepts Japan?” Ambassador Gunter Pleuger told the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies on a recent Washington visit.

Mr. Pleuger reviewed the proposals for expanding the 15-member council, which is controlled by the five permanent members — Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The other 10 seats rotate among the geographical regions represented in the U.N. General Assembly.

One proposal calls for having six new members and three additional rotating seats. Africa and Asia would get two seats each, and Latin America and Europe each would get one. Germany is seeking the European seat.

Germany estimated last week that it had the support of 128 members of the General Assembly, moving close to the 140 needed to approve a new seat on the Security Council. Even if the General Assembly endorses the expansion, any of the five permanent members could block the move through its veto.

Mr. Pleuger said enlargement would make the Security Council more representative.

“Fifteen people decide issues of war and peace [and] affect most of the U.N. organs,” he said.

Mr. Pleuger noted that enlargement would not threaten the power of the five permanent members, who would retain their veto. He said Germany is not insisting on such power. It only wants a seat, adding that countries such as Germany that make considerable contributions to U.N. operations deserve a voice in the Security Council.

He said a group informally known as the “Coffee Club” has formed among representatives who oppose certain new members. China opposes Japan because Tokyo’s inclusion might dilute Beijing’s influence in Asia, he said. Pakistan is unhappy that its old regional rival India is being considered for a seat, and Italy is miffed that Germany has the backing of Europe, he said.

In a joking reference, he alluded to John R. Bolton, President Bush’s embattled U.N. nominee who has often criticized the bloated U.N. bureaucracy.

“The U.N. needs to be reformed soon, before the upper 10 floors are taken away,” Mr. Pleuger said.

• Call Embassy Row at 202/636-3297, fax 202/832-7278 or e-mail jmorrison@washingtontimes.com.