Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03OTTAWA692
2003-03-12 22:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:  

IRAQ/UNSC: CANADA STILL WORKING - AT THE HIGHEST

Tags:  PREL PARM MOPS IZ CA UNSC 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000692 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2013
TAGS: PREL PARM MOPS IZ CA UNSC
SUBJECT: IRAQ/UNSC: CANADA STILL WORKING - AT THE HIGHEST
LEVELS - TO "BRIDGE THE DIVIDE"

REF: (A) USUN NEW YORK 656 (B) OTTAWA 589

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Stephen R. Kelly,
Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000692

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2013
TAGS: PREL PARM MOPS IZ CA UNSC
SUBJECT: IRAQ/UNSC: CANADA STILL WORKING - AT THE HIGHEST
LEVELS - TO "BRIDGE THE DIVIDE"

REF: (A) USUN NEW YORK 656 (B) OTTAWA 589

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Stephen R. Kelly,
Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (C) As seen from Canada's proposal for a new UNSC
resolution on Iraq (reftel A),the GoC continues to be active
in seeking a compromise solution at the Security Council.
Officials at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO),the Privy
Council Office (PCO),and Foreign Affairs (DFAIT) have
confirmed to us that GoC efforts on Iraq are being personally
handled by Prime Minister Jean Chretien, PCO Foreign Policy
Advisor Claude Laverdure, and Canada's Ambassador to the UN
Paul Heinbecker. PMO's Paul Genet told the DCM that
Laverdure has the lead on Iraq. DFAIT's Jon Allen told us
that Heinbecker had been "chomping at the bit" to put forward
a Canadian proposal at the UN. PCO's Rob Fonberg (protect)
told the DCM "there is no question that the Prime Minister is
in the lead," but that the Iraq file is being handled
primarily by PCO, with only limited input by DFAIT. Fonberg
also speculated that Clerk of the Privy Council Alex
Himelfarb, a staunch multilateralist, has been advising
Chretien not to do anything in Iraq without UN support, or
perhaps even with it.


2. (C) Commodore Dan McNeil, Laverdure's Director of
Operations and Strategic Planning, told us that the Prime
Minister continues to be heavily engaged in lobbying Security
Council heads of state. Chretien spoke again with British
Prime Minister Blair on March 12, and was to speak again
later that day with Chilean President Lagos and Mexican
President Fox. McNeil expressed concern that Lagos might
support the French position, which Canada found unacceptable,
and that Mexico was considering a proposal for the UN to
deploy 50,000 blue helmets in Iraq.


3. (C) McNeil reiterated to us that Canada's objectives are
(1) disarmament of Iraq and (2) the Security Council living
up to its obligations. Canada knows the U.S. cannot keep its
military forces in a holding pattern much longer, he
continued, and Canada's proposal sets a concrete deadline for
action (April 15) if Iraq does not meet disarmament targets.
McNeil said Chretien recognizes war is now inevitable, but
that he must reckon with anti-war sentiment in Canada,
including in his own Cabinet.


4. (C) COMMENT: While Chretien realizes we do not support the
GoC proposal, he sees the need for a UNSC compromise and will
remain personally engaged to try to achieve it. Given
France's determination to veto any resolution sanctioning
military action, Canada's best hope now is for a resolution
supported by most Security Council members. Like the
British, Canada would seize upon such a vote as expressing
the will of the Security Council, albeit without passage due
to veto.
CELLUCCI