clarinews@clarinet.com (01/19/90)
(MEECH LAKE, Que.) The prime minister is counting on B-C Premier Bill Vander Zalm's ``consistent'' character to keep him standing by the Meech Lake Accord. Vander Zalm told British Columbians last night the accord is no longer acceptable in its current form and he said he'd like to see changes made to it. Going into the Meech Lake retreat where Vander Zalm agreed to support the deal nearly three years ago, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney says Vander Zalm spoke ``glowingly'' of the deal then. And Mulroney says he believes the premier is a ``man of principle'' who, therefore, won't do anything that is inconsistent. The P-M hasn't ruled out the possibility of getting all the premiers back to the bargaining table before the June 23rd deadline. hewitt/standard broadcast news ottawa
clarinews@clarinet.com (01/19/90)
(QUEBEC CITY) Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa is hinting that electoral motives may be behind the B-C Premier's shift on the Meech Lake agreement. Premier Bourassa says there's nothing new with a political leader in Canada saying we should improve the constitutional deal. But he says that must be done in the second round of negotiations. The Meech Lake agreement is increasingly unpopular in British Columbia. Bourassa appears to see motives for Vander Zalm's moves, but he says he doesn't want to comment on a politician who might be facing an election pretty soon. Quebec Inter-governmental Affairs Minister Gil Remillard sees no threat. He says Vander Zalm is likely trying to find a solution to the accord. Remillard says it is not negative to want improvements to the constitutional agreement. Kelly/Standard Broadcast Wire