CANADA SUPPORTS OSCE PARTNER STATUS FOR AFGHANISTAN

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000576 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL OSCE SUBJECT: CANADA SUPPORTS OSCE PARTNER STATUS FOR AFGHANISTAN REF: A. A) BRUSSELS 261 ¶B. B) STATE 22232 (NOTAL) C) STATE 53632 ¶1. (U) On March 28, Political Counselor discussed reftel's proposal for OSCE Partner Status for Afghanistan with Lisa Helfand at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). ¶2. (SBU) Helfand, who is Deputy Director of DFAIT's Division for Defense and Security Relations, said that Canada was definitely on board. She noted they were one of the initiators of the idea last year and still support it fully. DFAIT has instructed their delegation in Vienna to recirculate Foreign Minister Graham's letter proposing the idea and to continue to push for acceptance of partner status for Afghanistan. CELLUCCI