CANADA: 2004 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 OTTAWA 003410

SIPDIS

STATE FOR S/CT AND TTIC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC CA
SUBJECT: CANADA: 2004 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT

REF: STATE 245841


1. Unclassified entire text.


2. The Government of Canada remained steadfast in its
condemnation of international and domestic terrorism and has
been a helpful and strong supporter of the United States in
the fight against international terror. Overall
antiterrorism cooperation with Canada remains excellent and
serves as a model for bilateral cooperation. Despite
occasional differences, antiterorrism cooperation with Canada
remains excellent and serves as a model for a cooperative
bilateral relationship.


3. Canada has contributed to military activities in the
global war on terror. Canadian Armed Forces participated in
Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, and, as of December 2004,
approximately 700 Canadian troops continue to be stationed in
Kabul in support of ISAF VI. In addition, approximately 200
Canadian personnel are located in the United Arab Emirates,
where they are providing airlift and logistics support to
deployed troops in the Southwest Asia theater. Although
Canada chose not to join the Operation Iraqi Freedom, it has
contributed USD 280 million to the reconstruction of Iraq and
has also given USD 18 million to help with the January 2005
Iraq transitional elections.


4. Day-to-day cooperation between the US and Canadian law
enforcement agencies is close and continuous. Under the 2001
Anti-Terrorism Act, Canada strengthened its ability to
identify, deter, disable, prosecute, convict, and punish
terrorist groups. It also provides investigative tools for
Canadian law enforcement agencies while providing substantial
safeguards to privacy and due process. In December 2003, the
Government of Canada established the Department of Public
Safety and Emergency Preparedness (PSEPC),which roughly
parallels the US Department of Homeland Security, and gave it
the mandate of protecting Canadians from criminals and
terrorists.


5. Canada cooperates closely with the United States on
investigations, and there is a heavy volume of extradition
requests between the two countries. Canadian privacy laws,
limited resources, and criminal procedures are more favorable
to the defendant than in the United States. This could
occasionally inhibit a more full and timely exchange of
information and may benefit supporters of terrorism.


6. Canada was the first country to ratify the Inter-American
Convention Against Terrorism in December 2002. Canada
implements terrorist finance listings in compliance with UN
requirements and coordinates closely with the United States
on plans to freeze assets. Efforts to counter terrorist
financing include implementing UNSCR 1373, promoting the
Special Recommendations on Terrorist Financing of the
Financial Action Task Force, and actively participating in
the G-7, G-8, and G-20. As of November 2004, Canada had
listed all terrorist entities listed by the United Nations.
Although they are subject to prosecution under the Criminal
Code of Canada, the law remains untested and no prosecutions
have taken place.


7. Canada and the United States take part in a number of
joint counterterrorism forums. In October 2003, they
participated in a new round of talks under the auspices of
the Bilateral Consultative Group (BCG) on Counterterrorism
Cooperation which was formed in 1988. Preparations are now
underway to hold a new round of BCG talks in the spring of
2005, to be hosted by Canada. In May 2003, Canada and the
United States participated in the second Top Officials
simulation to test local, state/province, and federal
disaster responses to a terrorist attack against civilian
populations. Canada will also participate with the United
States and the United Kingdom in the next scheduled Top
Officials simulation, scheduled for the spring of 2005. In
addition, the US Attorney General and Canada's Ministers for
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Justice
coordinate policy at the US-Canadian Cross-Border Crime
Forum, which last met in Ottawa in October 2004. The forum
has a sub-group on counterterrorism, and future efforts
include continued implementation of provisions of the Smart
Border Accord and the further integration of border
enforcement teams that are now operating in 15 regions.


8. Canada has signed and ratified all 12 UN conventions and
protocols relating to terrorism, including the International
Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism,
and has listed all terrorist entities designated by the UN.
In June the Government of Canada declined the opportunity to
join the US and other nations to publicly reiterate the
policy of not negotiating with terrorists even for the sake
of securing the safety and release of the hostages.


9. Embassy POC is Mary Witt, Counselor for Labor Affairs and
deputy of the political section, telephone: 613-688-5240,
e-mail: WittMH@state.sgov.gov.

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

CELLUCCI