Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05OTTAWA2020
2005-07-06 14:12:00
SECRET
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH PM MARTIN

Tags:  CA HA IR PGOV SENV SOCI PTER 
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S E C R E T OTTAWA 002020 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/04/2015
TAGS: CA HA IR PGOV SENV SOCI PTER
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH PM MARTIN


Classified By: Ambassador David H. Wilkins, reasons 1.4 (b) (d)

S E C R E T OTTAWA 002020

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/04/2015
TAGS: CA HA IR PGOV SENV SOCI PTER
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH PM MARTIN


Classified By: Ambassador David H. Wilkins, reasons 1.4 (b) (d)


1. (U) Ambassador Wilkins paid an introductory call on PM
Martin June 30 in the Prime Minister's Office at Parliament.
The tone of the meeting was friendly and allowed time for a
cordial exchange on family and political careers, of note
sharing experiences operating in a political minority
situation.


2. The following issues of policy substance were discussed:

-- (C) Devils Lake: The first issue the PM raised, and in
the strongest terms, mirrored many of our discussions on
Devils Lake over the past two years, as he repeated
inaccuracies and half-truths. The PM said that this would be
the first time that an IJC reference has been refused, and
stated as fact the contention that the completion of the
project would allow invasive species into the watershed. The
Ambassador politely corrected him on the IJC reference and
said that the White House, through the CEQ, was fully engaged
and seeking to satisfy Canada's concerns on the project. The
Prime Minister said the bottom line was that Canada sought an
IJC reference, to which the Ambassador responded that perhaps
a solution should be the most important thing. The PM
agreed, reluctantly.

-- (C) BSE/Softwood: The PM lumped our two biggest trade
disputes together. He said he believes President Bush has a
correct understanding of the competition emanating from China
and India, which necessitates a full integration of the North
American market in response. He believes the Administration
understands the changing global economy, and genuinely wants
to resolve these disputes. In the absence of a solution,
however, the PM said Canada is simply developing its own
competitive edge in these industries, backing away from the
integrated North American market which it cannot trust. The
U.S., he suggested, will lose out in the end.

-- (SBU) SPP/Avian Flu: The Ambassador expressed appreciation
for the PM's attendance at the recent luncheon for
Secretaries Chertoff and Gutierrez, and the personal

SIPDIS
attention the PM has paid to progress on the SPP. In this
context, Martin raised Avian Flu. The PM mentioned that he
discussed Avian Flu in a conversation with Secretary Chertoff
on June 27 at the SPP meeting. Canadian officials have a
real concern that this disease could develop into a pandemic
in the next year, they will push for a sidebar meeting at the
UNGA in the fall with 15-20 countries to discuss it. Foreign
Policy Advisor Jonathan Fried said that Canada would also be
very supportive of an important meeting in July in the U.S.
to seek new approaches to pandemic. The PM mentioned the new
Canadian public health center completed in Winnipeg and
modeled after the US Centers for Disease Control as being
helpful in the fight to stop such diseases.

-- (C) Hemispheric Engagement: The PM told the Ambassador
that he believes Canada can be more helpful on Latin America,
especially where there may be reluctance to accept wholesale
U.S. influence. He mentioned Venezuela as an example where
Canadian engagement might be positive. On Haiti, the PM also
said he thought Canada could be helpful. He said he
understands the U.S. position is against sending more troops
and that Canada shares this position. But he also says that
given the deteriorating situation there, our shared position
is becoming unsustainable.

-- (S) Iranian Ambassador: In private the Ambassador thanked
the PM for Canada's rejection of hostage-taker Ahmad Azizi as
Iran's Ambassador.


3. (C) On his approach to U.S.-Canadian relations, the PM
discussed Canada's conflicting views towards the U.S., noting
that the Ambassador "will find that we want to be close to
the U.S., we just can't say it publicly."

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

WILKINS