(2004) REQUEST FOR CANADIAN MARITIME PATROL

UNCLAS OTTAWA 003105 SIPDIS STATE FOR INL/CARROLL, JOINT STAFF FOR J5, COGARD FOR KEISERMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR PREL CA SUBJECT: (2004) REQUEST FOR CANADIAN MARITIME PATROL AIRCRAFT SUPPORT FOR USSOUTHCOM/JIATF-S COUNTERDRUG OPERATIONS REF: A. (A) 04 OTTAWA 3368 (NOTAL) ¶B. (B) 04 STATE 262028 ¶1. Post received the following response to reftel B request via diplomatic note dated 11 October 2005: BEGIN TEXT: Note no. IDR0485 The Department of Foreign Affairs presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honour to refer to the Embassy's demarche of 14 December 2004 requesting Canada's assistance in counter-drug operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific regions The Government of Canada is pleased to confirm its agreement to deploy Canadian Forces (CF) Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA),CP-140 Auroras to assist in United States-led efforts to enhance counter-drug detection and monitoring in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific regions. These regions remain a priority in terms of Canada's bilateral and multilateral engagement to enhance international security, with a particular focus on counter-narcotics efforts. Accordingly, Government of Canada cooperation with the Government of the United States of America will be guided by the following foreign policy principles: -- CF support will be limited to surveillance and information sharing with relevant authorities participating in United States-led efforts to stem the trafficking of illicit drugs in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific regions; -- CF surveillance operations are to be conducted only outside the claimed territorial waters and claimed territorial airspace of countries in the region. Canada's Department of National Defense will liaise directly with the United States' Department of Defense in order to identify appropriate windows of opportunity for the deployment of Canadian Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The Department of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States the assurances of its highest consideration. OTTAWA, 11 October, 2005 END TEXT. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa WILKINS