FY 2003 IV MRP "MULTILATERAL DIPLOMACY" EVALUATION

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