News In Brief

Canadian foreign minister planning to leave office

Canadian External Affairs Minister Allan MacEachen announced Wednesday that he will be quitting the Cabinet and will not run in the next election. Mr. MacEachen, deputy prime minister and right-hand man to outgoing Canadian leader Pierre Trudeau, said he had been offered a job in the new Cabinet of Prime Minister-designate John Turner but turned it down because he had no desire to remain in politics after Mr. Trudeau leaves.

MacEachen was one of the most experienced Trudeau loyalists, and his departure appeared to confirm widespread speculation that popular Energy Minister Jean Chretien, runner-up in this month's Liberal leadership battle, would become Mr. Turner's leading lieutenant.