RENEWAL OF ISAF MANDATE: CANADA ON SAME PAGE BUT

UNCLAS OTTAWA 002462 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR PREL CA NATO UNSC SUBJECT: RENEWAL OF ISAF MANDATE: CANADA ON SAME PAGE BUT NEEDS TO STUDY REF: STATE 146276 ¶1. (C) Polmiloff met with Director of North American and Euro-Atlantic Security and Defence Relations Division (IDR) Director Barbara Martin and staff on August 11 to discuss renewal of ISAF,s mandate. Though Canada has not started to examine the matter in detail (NOTE: summer cottage season is in full swing and Assistant Deputy Jim Wright is on leave until 01 September. END NOTE),Martin welcomed USG's initiative to consult as a timely "heads-up" for the GOC to begin internal deliberations. She reaffirmed Canada's support for integration of CFC-A and ISAF and volunteered that in general discussions this summer, she and UK counterparts found that the UK and Canada share the concerns articulated in reftel message. Martin mused that it might be useful to hold preliminary consultations among like-minded Allies. ¶2. (C) Martin said her British interlocutors were concerned not to provide a forum in which opponents of integration could advance their agenda. Canada and the UK had discussed how to minimize or circumvent opportunities to undermine integration in the ISAF renewal process. One approach, she offered, might be to encourage President Karzai to write a letter to UNSYG Annan requesting renewal ofthe ISAF mandate. Post will monitor the progress of Canada's internal deliberations and report back as appropriate. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa WILKINS