AUSTRALIA GROUP: CANADIAN SUPPORT FOR JUNE 2003

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 002180 SIPDIS FOR NP/CBM AND WHA/CAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2013 TAGS: ETTC PARM PREL CA CBW SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA GROUP: CANADIAN SUPPORT FOR JUNE 2003 PLENARY DECISIONS REF: STATE 219619 Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Mary Witt, Reasons 1.5 (b, d and e) (C) Canada is working to implement nationally all of the decisions taken at the 2003 Australia Group plenary (reftel). Marina Laker, Foreign Affairs' Deputy Director for Non-Proliferation, confirmed to us that Canada will not break silence on the addition of 9 new chemicals to AG export controls. She said that Canada is also emphasizing regional non-proliferation, most recently in meetings with Israel, and that the GoC will be reporting on its efforts to the AG Chair. Canada publicly reported its most recent export control changes (based on 2002 legislation) at the February 2003 intersessional, and hopes to have new changes to report in the next 6 months. Laker said she believed Canada had already provided information on its relevant laws, regulations, control lists and internet web sites to the AG Chair, but that she will reconfirm. CELLUCCI