Grumbling precedes G7 summit in Canada

OTTAWA, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Allegations have arisen before this week's Group of Seven summit in northern Canada the host government is using Inuit people as props in the seal hunt debate.

The two-day summit of ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States begins Friday in Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut.

Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak announced this week local officials would be wearing seal skin clothing and a dinner for delegates Saturday would include seal meat and other traditional Inuit dishes.

One European diplomat who didn't want to be identified told the Globe and Mail Canada's choice to convene in Iqaluit was a tip-off as to part of the agenda.

"Once we knew the venue, we kind of knew what would be on the menu," said one diplomat. "It raises half an eyebrow."

Arlene McCarthey, a British member of the European Parliament who was instrumental in getting the European Union to ban commercial seal products from Canada -- excluding Inuit products -- told the Globe the site chosen was political posturing.

"Instead of organizing stunts, the Canadians should accept the fact that the EU has passed this law," McCarthey wrote in an e-mail.