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. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa DICKSON