The Burma Effect (36 page)

Fraser J. Harrelson,
Tribune
Media Writer,
July 8, 2001

MONTREAL –
The
Tribune
's own Francis Delaney, a columnist with the newspaper since 1998 and a former investigative journalist and senior editor at Forum magazine, has resigned effective immediately.

Delaney, who is 49, said in an email message yesterday to
Tribune
editorial staff that he and senior management of the newspaper had agreed it was “time for him to move on.”

The “Delaney at Large” column was widely respected and often broke new ground on political stories, nationally and internationally. Delaney is a former foreign correspondent whose assignments for
Forum
magazine and other Canadian publications often took him to trouble spots around the world. He is the author of several well-received books on political topics.

Delaney recently caused controversy with publication of an article in
Asia Weekly
magazine about an alleged plot by another Canadian journalist, Nathan Kellner, to bring down Burma's military government by hiring mercenaries to rescue pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest. Canada is still investigating claims made by Delaney in his
Asia Weekly
article, including the allegation that Kellner was murdered while in Burmese government custody.

It is widely known in Montreal media circles that management of the Tribune was deeply unhappy that Delaney had sold his Burma report to another publication.

Tribune
Editor-in-Chief Edward Harden said he had no comment to make on Delaney's departure from the newspaper, other than to thank him for his services. Harden refused to comment on speculation that the
Asia Weekly
article had sparked calls for Delaney's resignation.

A spokesman for the Canadian Newspaper Guild union said that as a contract columnist with the
Tribune
, Delaney had the right to sell material to other publications but would “normally” be expected to offer the newspaper right of first refusal for a breaking news story.

Delaney, a well-known sailing buff, said that in the immediate term he would go with a companion on an extended cruising holiday aboard his beloved 30-foot sailboat, which he recently re-christened
Daylight Woman
.

MICHAEL E. ROSE
is a Canadian journalist and broadcaster whose reporting and travel have taken him to Latin America, Europe, Africa, India, southeast Asia and Australia. He has worked for major media organizations around the world, including the CBC,
Maclean's
, UPI, Radio France International, the
Sydney Morning Herald
and Reuters. From 2003-2006, he was Chief of Communications and Publications for Interpol, based at the agency's headquarters in Lyon, France.