Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05OTTAWA3741
2005-12-22 21:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:
CANADA'S CONTINUING CONCERNS OVER RUSSIAN NGO LAW
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 003741
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL RS CA
SUBJECT: CANADA'S CONTINUING CONCERNS OVER RUSSIAN NGO LAW
REF: A. (A) SECSTATE 229260
B. (B) 05 OTTAWA 03650
C. (C) 05 OTTAWA 222292
Classified By: POLMINCOUNS Brian Flora, Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 003741
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL RS CA
SUBJECT: CANADA'S CONTINUING CONCERNS OVER RUSSIAN NGO LAW
REF: A. (A) SECSTATE 229260
B. (B) 05 OTTAWA 03650
C. (C) 05 OTTAWA 222292
Classified By: POLMINCOUNS Brian Flora, Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (U) Poloff delivered reftel to Gilles Breton, Deputy
Director of the Eastern Europe and Balkans Division at
Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC) on 22 December 2005 and shared
the USG talking points prepared for delivery in Moscow.
--------------
Transparency Limits Corruption Potential
--------------
2. (C) Breton confirmed Canada's continuing concerns about
several aspects of the current legislation, particularly the
vagueness of the language about political activity. He
reiterated (reftel B) the importance of both a broad and
consistent interpretation of "political activity," and one
that reaches beyond the major cities to the regional centers
where NGO activity also occurs. Lack of clarity in
interpretation and application raises the risks of
already-present corruption and should be avoided at all
costs. Breton noted that Canadian Embassy officials are
expected to meet with DOS counterparts today on the issue.
-------------- --------------
January G-8 Preparatory Meetings Offer an Opportunity
-------------- --------------
3. (C) Breton said that the Canadian government is likely to
take a two-pronged approach: 1) Canadian lawyers will
scrutinize the text of the legislation to identify
problematic provisions and 2) Canadian representatives
attending the Sherpa planning meetings in Moscow on January
18 and 19 will use that opportunity to make known the GoC's
views about the legislation. He suggested that a concerted
message from each of the G-7 members at that time would be
more effective than a collective demarche and noted that a
more vocal European stance, particularly from the British who
have had experience in conforming their domestic law with
that of the European Convention on Human Rights, would be
helpful. The upcoming slow-down for the holiday period --
likely through Eastern Orthodox Christmas -- provides a
window of opportunity, even if the legislation passes its
Third Reading in the next few days.
Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa
WILKINS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL RS CA
SUBJECT: CANADA'S CONTINUING CONCERNS OVER RUSSIAN NGO LAW
REF: A. (A) SECSTATE 229260
B. (B) 05 OTTAWA 03650
C. (C) 05 OTTAWA 222292
Classified By: POLMINCOUNS Brian Flora, Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (U) Poloff delivered reftel to Gilles Breton, Deputy
Director of the Eastern Europe and Balkans Division at
Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC) on 22 December 2005 and shared
the USG talking points prepared for delivery in Moscow.
--------------
Transparency Limits Corruption Potential
--------------
2. (C) Breton confirmed Canada's continuing concerns about
several aspects of the current legislation, particularly the
vagueness of the language about political activity. He
reiterated (reftel B) the importance of both a broad and
consistent interpretation of "political activity," and one
that reaches beyond the major cities to the regional centers
where NGO activity also occurs. Lack of clarity in
interpretation and application raises the risks of
already-present corruption and should be avoided at all
costs. Breton noted that Canadian Embassy officials are
expected to meet with DOS counterparts today on the issue.
-------------- --------------
January G-8 Preparatory Meetings Offer an Opportunity
-------------- --------------
3. (C) Breton said that the Canadian government is likely to
take a two-pronged approach: 1) Canadian lawyers will
scrutinize the text of the legislation to identify
problematic provisions and 2) Canadian representatives
attending the Sherpa planning meetings in Moscow on January
18 and 19 will use that opportunity to make known the GoC's
views about the legislation. He suggested that a concerted
message from each of the G-7 members at that time would be
more effective than a collective demarche and noted that a
more vocal European stance, particularly from the British who
have had experience in conforming their domestic law with
that of the European Convention on Human Rights, would be
helpful. The upcoming slow-down for the holiday period --
likely through Eastern Orthodox Christmas -- provides a
window of opportunity, even if the legislation passes its
Third Reading in the next few days.
Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa
WILKINS