Angel >>Montreal’s International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development Former Trudeau cabinet minister Warren Allmand’s organization was in the Middle East last week, meeting with local non-governmental groups to push the region’s governments for better human and women’s rights. Allmand, who visited Egypt, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority, was accompanied by Rachad Antonius, a native Egyptian and UQÀM prof. Allmand did say rights groups have their work cut out for them in the region, but he hopes that governments, both in the Middle East and the West, will begin to take the issues seriously.

Insect >>Saskatchewan Alliance MP Roy BaileyThe day after the Big Shuffle in Chrétien’s cabinet, Bailey was quoted in a Saskatoon paper as describing new Veterans Affairs Minister Rey Pagtakhan, whom Bailey described as a “Chinese chap” (Pagtakhan was born in the Philippines), as unsuitable for the job because of his previous portfolio, junior minister for Asia-Pacific, and because of his “Asiatic” background. Bailey joins Betty Granger, another disgraced Alliance candidate, in backing Stephen Harper in the upcoming leadership race. Harper’s press secretary recently resigned over alleged homophobic remarks he made on B.C. radio. Pagtakhan says he will accept an apology.