Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05OTTAWA2618
2005-09-01 19:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:
IRAQ: PRESENTATION OF A DRAFT CONSTITUTION
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 002618
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2010
TAGS: IZ PGOV PREL CA
SUBJECT: IRAQ: PRESENTATION OF A DRAFT CONSTITUTION
REF: SECSTATE 158420
Classified By: Acting POLCOUNS Patty Kim Scott, reasons 1.4 (b) (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 002618
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2010
TAGS: IZ PGOV PREL CA
SUBJECT: IRAQ: PRESENTATION OF A DRAFT CONSTITUTION
REF: SECSTATE 158420
Classified By: Acting POLCOUNS Patty Kim Scott, reasons 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (C/NF) FAC Middle East Division Deputy Director told
Poloff August 30 that the GOC prepared a statement on the
Iraqi constitution last week but pulled it back when it
became clear that the document was not a finished product and
could still change. He said Canada would wait until there
was a fully accepted draft and then offer a statement of
support. Ambassador delivered reftel demarche points on the
constitution to Tim Murphy, PM Martin's Chief of Staff, and
DCM delivered them to PM's Senior Policy Advisor Jonathan
Fried on August 31, urging the GOC to consider issuing a
statement this week to praise the progress accomplished to
date in Iraq. They suggested to the GOC that the
constitution would be a work in progress for some time, but
the Iraqis need international encouragement and support along
the way.
2. (U) On August 31 FM Pettigrew issued the following
statement:
Begin Quote
Canada welcomes the considerable progress made in drafting
the Iraqi constitution. We encourage the negotiating parties
to remain constructively engaged in the pursuit of an
inclusive constitution that will lead to a stable and
democratic Iraq.
Canada will continue to work with the Iraqi authorities for
the reconstruction and democratic transition of Iraq, as well
as the implementation of an Iraqi constitution consistent
with international standards of human rights, including
women's rights, gender equality and minority rights.
We believe that in order to provide a solid basis for
national reconciliation, the constitution must satisfy the
aspiration of all Iraqis. The task now lies with the people
of Iraq to exercise their democratic right to vote on the
constitution. We encourage all Iraqis to participate in the
referendum scheduled for October 15, 2005.
End Quote
3. (U) Also on August 31 Canada issued the following
statement on the tragedy in Baghdad:
Begin Quote
Canadians are profoundly moved by the scale of the human
tragedy that occurred Wednesday in northern Baghdad, and I
join them in offering condolences to the families of the
hundreds of innocent victims who died while gathering for a
religious ceremony.
It seems that some of the events that contributed to this
horrific tragedy were initiated by individuals without any
respect for human life and with the sole objective of
dragging Iraq into a civil war.
Canada will continue to support the Iraqi authorities in
their struggle to put an end to violence and to keep Iraq on
the path to democracy and stability. The international
community must remain united in its efforts to assist Iraqis
determined to turn the page on a past marked by violence and
to build a country that will ensure peace and prosperity for
future generations.
End Quote
Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa
WILKINS
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2010
TAGS: IZ PGOV PREL CA
SUBJECT: IRAQ: PRESENTATION OF A DRAFT CONSTITUTION
REF: SECSTATE 158420
Classified By: Acting POLCOUNS Patty Kim Scott, reasons 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (C/NF) FAC Middle East Division Deputy Director told
Poloff August 30 that the GOC prepared a statement on the
Iraqi constitution last week but pulled it back when it
became clear that the document was not a finished product and
could still change. He said Canada would wait until there
was a fully accepted draft and then offer a statement of
support. Ambassador delivered reftel demarche points on the
constitution to Tim Murphy, PM Martin's Chief of Staff, and
DCM delivered them to PM's Senior Policy Advisor Jonathan
Fried on August 31, urging the GOC to consider issuing a
statement this week to praise the progress accomplished to
date in Iraq. They suggested to the GOC that the
constitution would be a work in progress for some time, but
the Iraqis need international encouragement and support along
the way.
2. (U) On August 31 FM Pettigrew issued the following
statement:
Begin Quote
Canada welcomes the considerable progress made in drafting
the Iraqi constitution. We encourage the negotiating parties
to remain constructively engaged in the pursuit of an
inclusive constitution that will lead to a stable and
democratic Iraq.
Canada will continue to work with the Iraqi authorities for
the reconstruction and democratic transition of Iraq, as well
as the implementation of an Iraqi constitution consistent
with international standards of human rights, including
women's rights, gender equality and minority rights.
We believe that in order to provide a solid basis for
national reconciliation, the constitution must satisfy the
aspiration of all Iraqis. The task now lies with the people
of Iraq to exercise their democratic right to vote on the
constitution. We encourage all Iraqis to participate in the
referendum scheduled for October 15, 2005.
End Quote
3. (U) Also on August 31 Canada issued the following
statement on the tragedy in Baghdad:
Begin Quote
Canadians are profoundly moved by the scale of the human
tragedy that occurred Wednesday in northern Baghdad, and I
join them in offering condolences to the families of the
hundreds of innocent victims who died while gathering for a
religious ceremony.
It seems that some of the events that contributed to this
horrific tragedy were initiated by individuals without any
respect for human life and with the sole objective of
dragging Iraq into a civil war.
Canada will continue to support the Iraqi authorities in
their struggle to put an end to violence and to keep Iraq on
the path to democracy and stability. The international
community must remain united in its efforts to assist Iraqis
determined to turn the page on a past marked by violence and
to build a country that will ensure peace and prosperity for
future generations.
End Quote
Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa
WILKINS