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Flashbulbs popped and TV cameras pursued Michael Douglas, the Oscar-winning actor and producer, who breezed through on a four-hour, whirlwind visit to warn the Canadian government against a fatal attraction to nuclear weapons.
"I've heard the secretaries are floating through the air. Goo goo, ga ga," said Dave Sabourin, a freight delivery service worker on the Hill. "Maybe I'll get an autograph for my wife."
Like other Hill workers yesterday, Sabourin loitered in a hallway to wait for Douglas, who shook a few hands but mostly refused autographs as he dashed between meetings and photo opportunities.
Douglas met with Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy.
"I personally feel that nuclear weapons are the greatest danger for the future of our planet, of our life and of our civilization," said Douglas, who was recently named a United Nations "Messenger of Peace."
"I think that we have a wonderful opportunity, of which Canada is an important part, to truly make a difference." he added.
Chretien acknowledged that a high-profile star like Douglas can give an issue like nuclear weapons proliferation some publicity, but he made no promises.
"We need everybody to make sure that people are aware of it and keep the pressure on governments," Chretien said.
Axworthy, who met with Douglas' delegation for 45 minutes, chuckled when asked whether it was unusual to sit down to talk government policy with an actor.
"I kind of think that every day I go in the House of Commons we're dealing with ... a high-level of acting that goes on in Question Period. You only have to ask the Opposition about that. I see them every day," Axworthy said.
Jolene Saulis carried a pen and paper in her hand as she and fellow Senate messenger Anabel Pinero lingered near the prime minister's office to get an autograph.
It wasn't until Douglas stepped out into the afternoon sunshine yesterday, donning a pair of sunglasses and slipping into a limousine, that he looked like a Hollywood star.
In his final moments on the Hill, he posed for a couple of pictures with fans.
"From Fatal Attraction, there was a fatal attraction," said Tina Moledina, who got a picture with the actor. "He's a classy, classy guy."
The Parliamentary Press Gallery was flooded with more requests for temporary passes for access to Douglas' news conference than for South African President Nelson Mandela last week or U.S. President Bill Clinton.