A unique approach to Middle East relationships

The vegetarian lasagna was excellent. But the most delicious part of the occasion was the fact that Jordan's ambassador, Nabil Barto, was sitting down for a cozy supper with a group of Vancouver Jews.

Last week's gathering at a home in Shaughnessy was a follow-up to a remarkable occasion that took place in 2005.

Back then, Barto and Israeli Ambassador Alan Baker participated at an Oak Street synagogue gathering dubbed Partners in Peace, where they spoke publicly about warm relations between Israel and Jordan.

They spoke, too, of a personal friendship between them, one that since has grown closer. Barto recently held a farewell dinner at his Ottawa residence for the Israeli, who returns home Sept. 7.

Baker's time in Ottawa is worth noting because of the candour with which he has spoken about his relationships with his Middle Eastern counterparts, most of whom represent states that are enemies of Israel.

The 60-year-old lawyer, interviewed by phone this week, is reluctant to discuss the positive relationships -- beyond citing the Jordanian and Egyptian diplomats who represent countries that have signed formal peace accords with Israel.

Baker fears it could "backfire" on the friendly Arab ambassadors, bringing censure from their capitals.

"I won't go into details," he says, reporting positive dealings with Yemeni diplomat Abdullah Nasher, Iraq's Howar Ziad and Palestinian representative Amin Abou-Hassira.

Last December, representatives from Morocco, Albania, Egypt and Jordan were among those attending an Israeli embassy Hanukkah party at an Ottawa synagogue.

Baker, who previously participated in Israeli peace negotiations with Palestinians, says it was important for him to establish during his four years in Ottawa that, whatever problems may exist between countries, civility and conversation always are possible between individuals.

Some Arab representatives rejected that view.

At a 2005 dinner in Regina sponsored by Canada's foreign affairs department, Baker recalls that he and his wife spied a table of "people who looked familiar, Middle Eastern people," so they joined the group.

"The people around the table looked at each other, exchanged a few words, then left the table. We learned they were they were Iranians and Libyans . . . . It was funny, but sad."

In 2006, on an Arctic trip organized for 20 ambassadors by Ottawa, Baker was reminded of hostility felt for Israel by Syrian diplomat Jamil Haidar Sakr. Each time he'd join a dining table where Sakr was seated, the Syrian would leave.

Similarly, Lebanon's Massoud Maalouf, "doesn't talk to me."

Again, at a Foreign Affairs event, in the confines of an elevator at Montreal's Delta Hotel, Baker tried to engage Libya's Ahmed Ali Jarrud. He turned away.

In 2007, yet another snub was delivered, this time to Baker's wife, Dalia, invited by an association of university women to a quilting event at the home of the Syrian diplomat's wife.

Event organizers initially asked Dalia Baker not to attend, prompting her husband to intervene. The venue was subsequently changed to the Jordanian ambassador's home.

Baker also wasn't able to establish a rapport with the two successive Saudi representatives.

He regrets that the Saudis years ago engineered a reorganization of diplomatic groupings for Ottawa social events and political briefings so they were organized by ethnicity rather than geography. Israel thereby was ousted from the Middle Eastern group and isolated.

Through his Canadian stay, Baker's speaking events were cancelled or disrupted by protesters at four venues: the University of Toronto, Concordia University, Carleton University and the Montreal Board of Trade.

He says he worked hard to reinforce Canada's 2005 decision to shift in its voting pattern at the United Nations, toward more support for Israel.

Asked if that shift has cost Canada in terms of its ability to act as an honest broker in the Middle East, Baker says: "I reject that view."

While the new stance may indeed impede Canada's image of neutrality, Baker believes it's worth it. "It was never logical to compromise on Canada's values and interests just in order to sit on the fence. To buy a reputation for being neutral by undermining Canadian values wasn't a wise policy."

Baker leaves Ottawa with a deep fondness for Canada. His favourite thing about the country? "Everything -- including the weather."