Mitterrand’s Visit Ending Canadian Rift

President Francois Mitterrand of France, on the first day of a state visit to Canada, on Monday marked the end of 20 years of strained relations with a speech of reconciliation to the Canadian Parliament.

Mitterrand’s final words to the assembly--”Vive le Canada! Vive la France!”--were a complete contrast to the words 20 years ago of then-President Charles de Gaulle.

De Gaulle said, “Vive le Quebec Libre!” That remark poisoned relations between Paris and Ottawa, and Mitterrand’s visit is widely seen as being aimed at ending a spirit of distrust between the two nations.

Mitterrand addressed Parliament for almost 40 minutes, speaking on international issues and emphasizing the special relationship between France and Canada.

Canada Has Changed

Previously, French leaders emphasized the special ties between France and the French-speaking province of Quebec.

Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, a Quebec native and fluent French speaker despite his Irish ancestry, welcomed Mitterrand to Parliament, saying that Canada has changed since De Gaulle made his famous statement from a Montreal balcony.

“Twenty years after Gen. De Gaulle’s visit, you will find a Canada at peace with itself,” he said.

“Today we turn a new page in the history of the relationship between France and Canada. We cannot change the past, but we can change our future,” Mulroney said.

Members of Parliament present during Mitterrand’s address described the talks as a mature and friendly presentation of international affairs that would cement links between the two nations.

Visit to Provinces

Earlier, Mitterrand held several sessions of talks with Mulroney. French officials said that economic affairs, next month’s summit of Western nations in Venice and bilateral ties were discussed.

Mitterrand, 70, who will visit four provinces in the next four days, arrived earlier Monday from Paris in the presidential Concorde airliner accompanied by French External Relations Minister Jean-Bernard Raimond and Michel Noir, deputy minister for foreign trade.