RAYTHEON BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON MISSILE DEFENSE

id: 23932 date: 12/10/2004 21:43 refid: 04OTTAWA3336 origin: Embassy Ottawa classification: CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN destination: header: This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 003336 SIPDIS NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2014 TAGS: MARR PREL CA SUBJECT: RAYTHEON BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON MISSILE DEFENSE CONSULTATIONS WITH CANADIANS Classified By: POL M/C BRIAN FLORA. REASON 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C/NF) SUMMARY: In a December 8 office call, Raytheon representatives (U.S. and Canadian) briefed the Ambassador and mission officers on recent meetings with Canadian Ambassador Kergin in Washington and senators on Parliament Hill. Raytheon assesses that the Canadian government "may be interested" in finding a way to host the X-Band Radar (MLX) on Canadian soil. It is proposing a joint Canadian/USG and industry study to examine elements of a Canadian contribution to missile defense. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C/NF) US VP for Ballistic Missile Defense Systems (BMDS) Peter Franklin said that Raytheon's meeting with Ambassador Kergin and Canadian defense attache RADM Mack went very well; both officials were receptive to what Raytheon had to say. At the Canadian Embassy's request, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) was scheduled to provide a classified briefing next week regarding the potential benefit (to the MD system) of a radar based in eastern Canada. ¶3. (C/NF) Franklin characterized the luncheon with fourteen senators as particularly useful and generally positive. Business Development Manager Dennis McKay commented that the senators' principal concerns were consistent with those articulated by other Canadians both publicly and privately: i.e., a) what happens to NORAD cooperation if Canada doesn't participate in MD; b) the effect/impact of debris from a missile intercept on the environment and humans; and c) the financial implications for Canada of participation in missile defense. Franklin noted that Raytheon was proposing a joint government and industry dialogue that would address the senators' concerns and also inform Canadians of the range of options for and benefits of MD particpation. ¶3. (C/NF) Ambassador Cellucci welcomed Raytheon's read-out and thanked them for their initiative with Canadian officials. He noted that Defense Minister Graham and Senator Colin Kenny had spoken out in favor of missile defense, and many other government interlocutors agreed that it made sense for Canada. The problem was political, the Ambassador continued, compounded by a lack of leadership in the governing party and the Opposition. The Prime Minister was psychologically hamstrung by his party's "minority" status in the Parliament, and the Conservatives had decided to play politics with national security. Without an assurance of Conservative support, the governing Liberals did not dare move forward on missile defense. Asked what Raytheon could do to try and turn things around, the Ambassador urged Raytheon representatives to talk to Conservative Opposition Leader Stephen Harper. "Tell him I sent you," he quipped, adding that he himself would continue to work on persuading Mr. Harper to change tack for the good of the country. ¶4. (C/NF) In a separate meeting, a Canadian Raytheon representative (protect) told polmiloff that Defense Minister Graham's staff, at the Minister's behest, were brainstorming proposals to try and advance Canadian participation in missile defense. One of Graham's executive assistants wanted to know informally (without directly approaching the Embassy) if the USG would be receptive to Canada hosting the X-Band Radar "as part of NORAD" rather than as explicit participation in missile defense. Polmiloff responded that it might be useful to explore this line of thought with the parties involved and invited the Minister's staff to contact Mission staff. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa CELLUCCI =======================CABLE ENDS============================