History of the sometimes stormy, sometimes friendly relationship between Brian Mulroney and Karlheinz Schreiber
1974: Karlheinz Schreiber makes his first trip to Alberta, looking for business opportunities
1976: Brian Mulroney makes his first run at the leadership of the federal Progressive Conservative party and loses to Joe Clark. Mr. Schreiber later testifies that he donated $25,000-$30,000 toward Mr. Mulroney's efforts.
1981: Mr. Mulroney, then president of the Iron Ore Company of Canada, begins his lunchtime meetings at the Mount Royal Club, plotting his second run for the leadership of the Conservative party, even though Mr. Clark had not stepped down. Among the confidants was Frank Moores, the former premier of Newfoundland.
Feb. 23, 1982: Mr. Mulroney sends a Telex to Mr. Schreiber's room at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Montreal, where the German-born dealmaker is celebrating becoming a Canadian citizen: "Dear Karlheinze (sic), Congratulations and best wishes on this important and first day of your new relationship with our country. It is a pleasure to welcome you to Canada."
January 1983: Progressive Conservative Leader Joe Clark announces a leadership convention after receiving only 66 per cent support from delegates at a party meeting in Winnipeg, many of whom were flown in from Quebec. Mr. Schreiber later reveals that he gave money to the wives of anti-Clark delegates to go shopping while in the Manitoba capital.
June 11, 1983: Mr. Mulroney is elected leader of the Progressive Conservative party, defeating Mr. Clark.
Sept. 4, 1984: Mr. Mulroney becomes prime minister designate.
March 7, 1985: Airbus Industrie, a European consortium, enters into a secret agreement with International Aircraft Leasing for assistance with the sale of aircraft to Canada — $500,000 per plane. Mr. Schreiber's embittered accountant later identifies International Aircraft Leasing as a shell company belonging to Mr. Schreiber. The contract stipulates that the agreement will be automatically terminated "in case of a major political change in the territory."
March 30, 1988: Air Canada's board of directors agrees to the Airbus deal — 34 A320s at a price of $1.8-billion.
Sept. 18, 1989: Mulroney writes to Schreiber on the Prime Minister's letterhead: "Dear Karlheinz, Thank you for your letter of August 28. I too was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with you. The recent General Meeting provided a tremendous opportunity for the PC party to reflect on its past success and to look ahead to a future that promises to offer Canadians countless opportunities both at home and abroad."
June 23, 1993: Mr. Mulroney sends a limousine for Mr. Schreiber to visit him at the prime minister's official residence at Harrington Lake, Que. Over the next two years, they meet three times in hotels and Mr. Schreiber gives Mr. Mulroney a total of $300,000 cash.
June 25, 1993: Mr. Mulroney's last day as Prime Minister.
July 27, 1993: Mr. Schreiber withdraws $100,000 from his Swiss bank account — a Canadian funds account coded 'Britan.'
Aug. 27, 1993: Mr. Schreiber meets with Mr. Mulroney at a Montreal airport hotel and gives him $100,000 cash.
August, 1993: Mr. Mulroney rejoins his old law firm of Ogilvy Renault.
Nov. 3, 1993: Mr. Schreiber withdraws another $100,000 from 'Britan'
Nov. 11, 1993: Mr. Schreiber meets with Mr. Mulroney at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel's Gold Key Lounge and gives him $100,000
July 21, 1994: Mr. Schreiber withdraws $50,000 from 'Britan'
Nov. 21, 1994: Mr. Schreiber withdraws $50,000 from 'Britan'
Dec. 8, 1994: Mr. Schreiber meets with Mr. Mulroney at the Pierre Hotel in New York City where he gives Mr. Mulroney $100,000.
March 1995: The RCMP, in the midst of a criminal investigation into the Airbus deal, sends a letter of request to Switzerland, seeking access to Mr. Schreiber's bank accounts and alleging that Mr. Mulroney defrauded Canadians.
Nov. 18, 1995: The Financial Post publishes a story about the letter of request to Switzerland and the allegations. The same day, Mr. Mulroney announces he will sue the federal government.
