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