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Maine doesnt see Quebec sovereignty as a threat ROCKPORT, Me. Premier Lucien Bouchard got the message he wanted Thursday from two American politicians: Quebec's future is an internal matter and economic ties would be kept with their state if it leaves Canada. The future of Quebec is essentially a Canadian matter, Maine Governor Angus King said at a news conference with Bouchard in Rockport, a community on the Atlantic Ocean. Its not up to us to sit on the sidelines and suggest what the solution should be, King added.
Bouchard was on a one-day tour of Maine to attend a business development conference to promote trade between the two struggling economies. King, whose motto is Export or die said putting people to work is his priority. Jobs is really what its all about. Mark Lawrence, president of the states Senate, said Maine would keep economic ties with an independent Quebec. We have a strong history with Quebec and whatever form of government Quebec chooses, we intend to maintain a strong relationship with Quebec, Lawrence said. Bouchard couldnt disagree, adding that the first rule of diplomacy is to stay clear of your neighbors political problems.
No country would like to see other countries get involved in their internal business, the premier said. Bouchard didnt shy away from the sovereignty issue. He tried avoiding the matter last time he was in New England, saying it slipped his mind. He visited Boston last June and said questions about Quebec voting to leave Canada hadnt been raised.
But Bouchard still preferred to dwell on the economic aspects of the Maine trip, saying its important for the state and the province to strengthen their economic ties. Trade between them is worth about $ 207 million US annually. They aim to increase tourism and technology and possibly designate a heritage highway between Quebec and Maine. Bouchard said he hopes the trip boosts Quebec's international image and doesnt hurt its reputation. King and Lawrence played up Maine's strong French cultural heritage.
About 30 per cent of the states population of more than one million have French roots. They left Quebec at the turn of the century to work in New England's textile mills. Maine, one of Quebec's closest U. S. neighbors, is also a popular tourist destination in the summer for Quebecers.
Bouchard, who likes to visit Maine in the summer with his family, has struck up a friendship with King based on their passion for Thomas Jefferson, a father of the U. S. Declaration of Independence. King gave Bouchard a portrait of Jefferson. In turn, Bouchard gave King a book by Jefferson about the problems with debt, something Bouchard said his foes in Quebec say Im obsessed about. King, who didnt seem surprised to receive the book, said the exchange of Jefferson-related gifts was a coincidence.
We didnt plan this, he laughed.
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