IRAQI EMBASSY IN CANADA

id: 7383
date: 4/11/2003 21:31
refid: 03OTTAWA1065
origin: Embassy Ottawa
classification: SECRET
destination: 03OTTAWA801|03STATE93783
header:
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.



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S E C R E T OTTAWA 001065

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2013
TAGS: PREL IZ CA
SUBJECT: IRAQI EMBASSY IN CANADA

REF: (A) STATE 93783 (B) OTTAWA 801

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Brian Flora,
Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (S) We discussed reftel (A) demarche with Chris Hull,
Foreign Affairs Desk Officer for Iraq, on April 11. Hull
told us that the GoC continues to monitor closely the
activities of the one Iraqi diplomat remaining in country,
Charge Mamdouh Mustafa, and had no indication that he was
destroying Iraqi Government records or property. Hull noted
that the GoC was looking for an opportunity to remove items
of an "undiplomatic nature" (nfi) from the premises of the
Iraqi Embassy.


2. (S) Mustafa, Hull continued, has given no indication of
his future plans. Hull saw no basis for him to be granted
refugee status, but said that if Mustafa makes such a claim
he could remain in Canada while his case is being reviewed.
The GoC could also decide to declare him persona non grata.
The RCMP is providing security for the Iraqi Embassy and is
escorting Mustafa due to concerns about potential
demonstrators.


3. (S) COMMENT: The GoC has been very helpful to us in
working with Mustafa, and we have concurred with their
reasons for not expelling him from Canada (ref. B). The GoC
is now taking a wait-and-see approach on how to deal with
him. The Foreign Affairs spokesperson has said it would be
up to the new Iraqi Government to decide whether to withdraw
current diplomats.
CELLUCCI

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