-when i can figure out the addressee (i would guess it's Vander Zalm circa January 1990) and pertinent info...

As you already have a better perspective on my diplomatic work than most Canadians (and Americans)--though hardly by design--you know that not only did it include representations in past of Canadian Police Forces, it also raised questions about the practices of South African Police long before the now emerging reports on their death squad memberships.
I draw your attention to the final term of reference here about this city's fine Police Force's "CODE OF ETHICS" and practices by their 'peers' in South Africa".
The item about China's "heroic soldiers deserv(ing) love" (that i lost the date of though it was published in the last two months) is included because after January 10, 1990 it has been China's Police which have been asked to preserve the new city laws that have replaced martial law.
As bizarre as this seems now in only this passing reference to it, you will see in future how truly misguided is the thinking behind it when i have completed my statement about this.

The personal histories of the Wong and Chan families enter the 1990s coming from widely varied experiences.
One lives proudly with the memory of a father who fought half a century ago to preserve this "hope" for the "common future" of "all of us."
One suffers now because apparently the lessons of history have been misleading...or forgotten.

I'd dare to think that the Chan family will--in caring so much about its ethnic origins in a country that rejected the U.S. "melting pot" example to follow its own "cultural mosaic" system that prides itself with such reverence--have to go through what mine has since 1978...when we are Canadian-born.

If the peoples in Eastern Europe are too impatient to endure "trickle-down" economic systems as the Americans did for the eight years of Reagan's presidency--and according to the April 15, 1989 "Rich and Famous 1989 World's Best" program, "75% of new jobs created in the (previous) 5 years pay little more than minimum wage" (in the U.S.)--i wonder what will be the "new" name for the certain organized opposition to all that "new" "joint investment" and its inadequacies"

Apparently...not democracy.

I met one of the African heritage entertainers who participated in last year's "DuMaurier Jazz Festival" in this city in a washroom after his performance.
I complimented him on his performance and we got to talking.
He had been talking with some of his fellow performers and asked what happened to the free lunch they had been promised for doing the gig. It was explained to him that he wasn't going to be given the free meal after all.
We got to talking a bit about his work and mine and i mentioned talking with Desmond Tutu and the like in doing my work. But his mind was on his hunger and we jokingly got to thinking whether "dreaming" about it would satisfy the hunger.
We agreed it wouldn't, but he told me:

"Without a dream, a man is like a book with empty blank pages.
We all need a dream."

I also met the Reverend Philip Potter, past General Secretary of "The World Council of Churches",¹ on July 10, 1989, and after listening to his lecture about the relationship in Jamaica (where he now lives and works) between the Christian Church and "rock and roll music" (as he called it; it's actually reggae he was referring to), we discussed my 1983 letter to him and i promised to send him some things in future about developments in continuing it since.

I anticipate that you may wish to meet to discuss these matters now. I suggest you wait until after you've had time to consider the contents of the pending statements to Mr. Barrett² and Dr. Perry.³ But if you find the need for immediate consultation, feel free to call me to arrange it.
I also believe Mr. Harcourt and his party should be aware of "(my) present situation."

I remain, as always,



Gordon C. Wong(phone: [no longer applicable])

*-THERE IS ADDITIONAL RELEVANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MEETING IF YOU TAKE A BRIEF SIDESTEP HERE AND IF YOU TAKE A BRIEF SIDESTEP HERE.

INCIDENTALLY, IN THE LATTER CASE THE REMARKS TO STING ARE ONES DIRECTED TO HIM WHEN HE WAS IN VANCOUVER LAST YEAR FOR A CONCERT.

AS IT HAPPENS, I HAVEN'T MADE THAT PROMISED SUBMISSION TO DR. POTTER YET.
BUT TO LEARN SOMETHING ENLIGHTENING ABOUT MY MEETING WITH HIS SUCCESSOR AS THE LEADER OF THE "WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES", MY FELLOW CANADIAN, THE MOST REVEREND LOIS WILSON.

²-link to meeting Dave Barrett and publisher page

³-link to meeting Dr. Perry at Environmental rally where Clinton and Yeltsin had dinner on that Saturday and also also footnote about meeting Dr. Perry, Jr.