CANADA: RESPONDING TO IRAQ HUMANITARIAN APPEALS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001026 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2013 TAGS: PHUM PREL PREF IZ CA CIDA AID SUBJECT: CANADA: RESPONDING TO IRAQ HUMANITARIAN APPEALS, CONSIDERING RECONSTRUCTION ROLE REF: A. STATE 89192 B. STATE 90025 Classified By: Pol MC Brian Flora for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) We delivered ref A talking points on April 7 to Norman Macdonnell, Chief of Operations for International Humanitarian Assistance at the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). On April 8, poloff met with Mcdonnell, Louise Marchand, CIDA's Director General for International Assistance, Mario Renaud, Director General for CIDA's North Africa and Middle East programs, and Daniel Joly, Director of CIDA's Iraq task force, to receive a response and to discuss CIDA's possible participation in Iraq reconstruction efforts. ¶2. (C) Macdonnell agreed that our record of Canada's total contribution to the Iraq humanitarian response, approximately U.S. $70 million, is correct. In response to the first round of humanitarian appeals, CIDA announced on March 26 the allocation of C$20 million (U.S. $13 million),as follows: $4 million to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); $4 million to UNICEF; $6.3 million to the World Food Program; $600,000.00 to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA); $3.5 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross; $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; and $600,000.00 to CARE Canada (figures are in Canadian dollars). ¶3. (C) Macdonnell indicated CIDA is close to reaching a decision on the size and allocation of the next tranche of Canada's contribution, and will consider the March 28 U.N. flash appeal and any subsequent flash appeals in making that decision. He said CIDA Minister Susan Whelan has an open mind about increasing the total amount of Canada's contribution beyond the C$100 million committed to date. Director General Marchand commented that countries have been very generous in responding to appeals for Iraq humanitarian assistance, and she didn't think there would be a problem in meeting future Iraq relief appeals. ¶4. (C) With regard to Canadian participation in the reconstruction of Iraq, Renaud said the preliminary thinking is that Canada will participate, but Prime Minister Chretien has made no official decision on the role Canada will play. Renaud emphasized that it is Canada's preference to work through the U.N. on reconstruction efforts, but added that the U.N. and other international bodies should act as partners with the coalition. (Note: In April 8 remarks on the floor of the House of Commons, Prime Minister Chretien stated that Canada is in agreement with Prime Minister Blair that the U.N. "must be closely involved in the process of reconstructing Iraq. But I think it would be impossible for the U.N. to do it all alone. And we are ready to help as soon as possible." End note.) ¶5. (C) Renaud emphasized the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to reconstruction, and cited several specific areas where he thinks Canada could make a contribution. With respect to the political and economic aspects of reconstruction, Renaud mentioned the experience Canadians have in municipal governance, central banking systems, currency management, the development of trade policies, and drafting constitutions. For internal security reform, Renault suggested Canada could play a role in the training of police forces, and in organizing correctional services. Renault doesn't believe reconstruction will take a long time, perhaps 3-5 years, and that with its oil resources Iraq should be in the top tier of developing countries by the end of the reconstruction period. (Comment: Renaud's mention of specific areas in which Canada would participate tracks with a statement made by Canadian Ambassador Kergin to Under Secretary Grossman, at their April 4 meeting in Washington (ref B),that the GOC wants to find some particular contribution it can make to reconstruction. End comment.) CELLUCCI