CANADA SEEKS BALANCE IN MIDDLE EAST POLICY

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 003248

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2009
TAGS: CA PGOV IS PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: CANADA SEEKS BALANCE IN MIDDLE EAST POLICY


Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Brian Flora, reasons 1.4 (b
) (d)


1. (C) Summary: In an effort to be a more effective player in
the Middle East, Canada will vote against two contentious
resolutions on Palestine rather than abstaining as in years
past, and will support the resolution on a Middle East
nuclear free zone. These votes will bring Canada,s formal
UN voting record more in line with its desire to have a
balanced policy on Middle East issues, and will support its
effort to push a reformist agenda in the UN. The move
generated some concern about domestic Canadian-Arab backlash,
but in the end the government felt strongly enough about it
to weather the storm. End Summary.


2. (C) After years of abstaining on two UN resolutions (1 -
Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli
Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian
People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories; and 2 -
Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the
Palestinian People),Canada has decided to oppose these
resolutions this year. According to DFAIT Desk Officer Eric
Walsh, the move is not so much a change in policy, as an
effort to bring Canada,s voting record more in line with its
policy -- which is one of balance in dealing with the parties
in the Middle East. In the spirit of balance, however,
Canada will now support the resolution on the Risk of Nuclear
Proliferation in the Middle East, also a change from its
normal position of abstention.


3. (C) Walsh confirms that there was a fairly involved
political debate on the decision within the Canadian
government. On the surface it could be construed (and indeed
in the press has been presented) as a tilt toward Israel.
Many ridings, including that of FM Pettigrew, have large
immigrant Arab populations and there was concern of a
backlash against the Liberals. This may have been the
impetus to put the nuclear free zone resolution on the table
at the same time. But in the end the PMO decided that the
issue was important enough to weather any storm that it
causes and do the right thing.


4. (C) In addition to policy balance, the new approach was
intended to support Canada,s effort to reform the UN.
Canadian Permrep Allan Rock gave a speech in New York
November 30th outlining the new policy and stated that Canada
has &consistently urged . . . the sponsors to make real
efforts to reduce the number of resolutions, many of which
are redundant and outdated. This fact not only damages UN
credibility but also gives the impression that their
objectives are more rhetorical than results-oriented. .
.Canada encourages a more innovative approach to drafting
resolutions which are pragmatic, reality-driven texts, with
mechanisms for follow-up on agreed benchmarks.8


5. (C) Comment: Canada,s niche in the Middle East is one of
honest and balanced broker and its niche in the UN is one of
spirited reformer. This small but significant gesture will
strengthen Canada in both roles, part of PM Martin,s effort
to promote a new multilateralism with Canada playing a
constructive role in the Middle East and in the United
Nations.

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DICKSON