Chrtien snubs Brittan in fish row

Chrtien snubs Brittan in fish row

Ottawa - Jean Chrtien, the Canadian Prime Minister, cancelled a meeting with Sir Leon Brittan, the European Commission Vice-President, following sharp remarks by Sir Leon on the recent fish dispute. Mr Chrtien's office said a scheduling problem had arisen on Tuesday but Canadian officials left no doubt of their displeasure over Sir Leon's remarks in a lunchtime speech in Ottawa. He said Canada disregarded international law when using "gunboat diplomacy" to force a resolution of the Greenland halibut row. "You can't expect to do that, and have a high-profile dispute, without other people feeling sore about it." Reuter