Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03OTTAWA2007
2003-07-16 10:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:  

FY 2003 IV MRP "MULTILATERAL DIPLOMACY" EVALUATION

Tags:  KPAO OEXC SCUL CA 
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UNCLAS OTTAWA 002007

SIPDIS

STATE

FOR ECA/PE/V/P - MARGERY BENSON; ECA/PE/V/G/W - EWILKES-
SCOTT; INFO WHA/PDA - WWANLUND
MONTREAL FOR PAO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OEXC SCUL CA
SUBJECT: FY 2003 IV MRP "MULTILATERAL DIPLOMACY" EVALUATION
FOR JEAN-PHILIPPE RACICOT


A. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY: 21-day multi-regional program
on "U.S. Perspectives on Multilateral Diplomacy Issues,"
participant Jean-Philippe Racicot, Analyst (U.S.),Western
Hemisphere Intelligence Assessment Secretariat, Privy
Council Office, Canada.


B. DATE, FISCAL YEAR AND QUARTER: May 8-29, 2003; FY-03,
Quarter three


C. JUSTIFICATION AND OBJECTIVE: At the time he was
nominated, Mr. Racicot was one of few international
observers in Quebec who could claim a solid background in
defense matters, with expertise ranging from NATO expansion
issues to North American defense and Iraq's weapons of mass
destruction. An academic frequently featured on news
programs, Mr. Racicot gains followers by being able to
tailor his explanations to his audiences.

Having recently made a transition from academia into the
federal government, Mr. Racicot will continue to inform
Canadian policymaking through his keen analysis and
exploration of international issues.


D. MPP THEME: National security; economic prosperity;
global issues


E. RESULT/IMPACT: A U.S. watcher for many years, Mr.
Racicot had little direct experience with Americans. For
him, this international visitor program delivered both
insightful discussion of U.S. policy and society and
enlightening first-hand contact with Americans, from neo-
cons to ultra liberals, from urban elites to ranchers. In
addition, he gained from interaction with the diverse group
of participants in the MRP.

An academic by training, Mr. Racicot appreciated the well-
prepared briefings the group received from the Council on
Foreign Relations (he learned more there in an hour than in
a day of other briefings),the Near East Institute
(brilliant speaker),and the Georgetown professor who
offered a condensed course in federalism and civics. Beyond
the briefings, Mr. Racicot particularly enjoyed encounters
with Americans, the hallmark of the IV program, from the
stimulating discussants at Exxon-Mobil and the Oil and Gas
Journal to Bubba, the world-traveled Brahman cattle rancher;
gun shop owners; and the retired viola player who offered
him home hospitality. (Mr. Racicot also appreciated the pre-
program appointments WHA/PD set up for him at the State
Department and the American Enterprise Institute.)

Mr. Racicot relayed his deep satisfaction with the Houston
and New York programs as well as his disappointment with the
Seattle program, where staff at a U.S. Senator's office
provided a superficial briefing and visits to Weyerhauser,
Starbucks or Boeing did not materialize. He did very much
enjoy home hospitality in Seattle, however.

Mr. Racicot came home with a sense of the diversity and
vigor of the United States, and a newfound appreciation for
the widespread change in attitude towards world affairs
wrought by the events of September 2001. The post is
confident that his experience and the contacts he made will
make a solid contribution to his ability to interpret U.S.
policy and events in coming years.
CELLUCCI