Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05OTTAWA1410
2005-05-10 19:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ottawa
how-toThis 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 001410
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAN, EUR/RPM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2015
TAGS: PREL MARR AF CA NATO FAC
SUBJECT: CANADA ON ISAF CAVEATS
REF: A) OTTAWA 1022 B) STATE 60862
Classified By: POL M/C BRIAN FLORA. REASON 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001410
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAN, EUR/RPM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2015
TAGS: PREL MARR AF CA NATO FAC
SUBJECT: CANADA ON ISAF CAVEATS
REF: A) OTTAWA 1022 B) STATE 60862
Classified By: POL M/C BRIAN FLORA. REASON 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) Though Canada has not/not provided a formal response
to ref b demarche, the GOC's position on ISAF-related caveats
was discussed on the margins of the April 27 US-Canada polmil
talks. Paul Chapin, Director General for Security Policy at
Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC) explained that the caveats
relating to Canadian operations in Kabul were a reflection of
"anxiety" at the ministerial (i.e. political) level. Rear
Admiral Drew Robertson, Director General of International
Security Policy at National Defence (DND),added that the
geographic limitations on the Canadian deployment were due to
the way that ISAF had evolved. He stated that Chief of
Defence Staff Lt. General Hillier was of the view that the
legal basis for the Canadian Forces' deployment to
Afghanistan should be adequate to cover operations in any
part of the country. At the same time, there were other
constraints that made it difficult to change the mandate for
Kabul at this stage. Robertson asserted that the issue would
"go away" in the next phase of Canada's involvement in
Afghanistan (Kandahar).
2. (C) On rules of engagement, FAC Defence and Security
Relations (IDR) officer Eric Laporte reiterated comments
reported in ref A, that Canadian Forces (CF) had limited
training in crowd control techniques. At the same time, he
said, there was recognition within the government that as
ISAF operations expanded, requirements for civil disturbance
control may occur more frequently. Laporte noted that a
review is underway regarding the introduction of crowd
control techniques into CF training. Robertson added that
the government wanted to avoid a situation where Canadian
Forces would be the "default" crowd control mechanism in lieu
of a constabulary force. Thus training would likely focus on
providing a capability for "in extremis" situations.
Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa
DICKSON
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAN, EUR/RPM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2015
TAGS: PREL MARR AF CA NATO FAC
SUBJECT: CANADA ON ISAF CAVEATS
REF: A) OTTAWA 1022 B) STATE 60862
Classified By: POL M/C BRIAN FLORA. REASON 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) Though Canada has not/not provided a formal response
to ref b demarche, the GOC's position on ISAF-related caveats
was discussed on the margins of the April 27 US-Canada polmil
talks. Paul Chapin, Director General for Security Policy at
Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC) explained that the caveats
relating to Canadian operations in Kabul were a reflection of
"anxiety" at the ministerial (i.e. political) level. Rear
Admiral Drew Robertson, Director General of International
Security Policy at National Defence (DND),added that the
geographic limitations on the Canadian deployment were due to
the way that ISAF had evolved. He stated that Chief of
Defence Staff Lt. General Hillier was of the view that the
legal basis for the Canadian Forces' deployment to
Afghanistan should be adequate to cover operations in any
part of the country. At the same time, there were other
constraints that made it difficult to change the mandate for
Kabul at this stage. Robertson asserted that the issue would
"go away" in the next phase of Canada's involvement in
Afghanistan (Kandahar).
2. (C) On rules of engagement, FAC Defence and Security
Relations (IDR) officer Eric Laporte reiterated comments
reported in ref A, that Canadian Forces (CF) had limited
training in crowd control techniques. At the same time, he
said, there was recognition within the government that as
ISAF operations expanded, requirements for civil disturbance
control may occur more frequently. Laporte noted that a
review is underway regarding the introduction of crowd
control techniques into CF training. Robertson added that
the government wanted to avoid a situation where Canadian
Forces would be the "default" crowd control mechanism in lieu
of a constabulary force. Thus training would likely focus on
providing a capability for "in extremis" situations.
Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa
DICKSON