CANADIAN SUPPORT FOR LIFTING OF IRAQ SANCTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001349 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2013 TAGS: PREL IZ CA UNSC SUBJECT: CANADIAN SUPPORT FOR LIFTING OF IRAQ SANCTIONS REF: STATE 122029 Classified By: Pol MC Brian Flora for reasons 1.5(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) We conveyed points contained reftel on May 9 to Don Sinclair, Director General of DFAIT's Middle East and North Africa Bureau. Sinclair said Canada welcomed the news that the resolution to lift sanctions against Iraq had been introduced in the UN Security Council. He indicated that Canada, though not a UNSC member, would support the effort. Sinclair said that Canadian officials would seek public opportunities to express their backing, but that DFAIT would probably not issue a separate press release. ¶2. (C) Sinclair said that now is the right time to begin the normalization process and described the U.S. approach to the wide range of issues surrounding Iraq as "practical, flexible, and pragmatic." He emphasized it is important to Canada that the UN play a meaningful role in the process. With respect to the steps proposed in the resolution, he commented that the "devil is in the details." If the current sanctions regime is lifted, Sinclair asked, would another set of sanctions or restrictions (on weapons procurement, for example) take its place, or would all sanctions against Iraq be ended? ¶3. (C) Sinclair raised several concerns/questions regarding the U.S. proposals. What about Iraqi creditors, particularly Russia, China, and France, who would apparently be asked to agree to the freezing of debt repayment obligations? He noted that the whole issue of letting the Iraqis determine their own future would be a major test. Would the coalition partners accept unconditionally the final results of an Iraqi election? He asked about the future role of UN weapons inspectors in Iraq; Canada felt it was important to reintroduce them into the mix. UNMOVIC had credibility with the international community and would lend greater trust to the final certification that Iraq was free of weapons of mass destruction. ¶4. (C) These were just his preliminary reactions, he emphasized, to what Canada saw as a positive step in getting the post conflict phase of Iraqi reconstruction under way. Canada looked forward to further elaboration of coalition plans and strategies. CELLUCCI