Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05OTTAWA3760
2005-12-29 20:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:  

CANADA SUPPORTS BLUE LINE PEACE BUT HAS LITTLE

Tags:  PREL PGOV LE IS SY CA 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 003760 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV LE IS SY CA
SUBJECT: CANADA SUPPORTS BLUE LINE PEACE BUT HAS LITTLE
LEVERAGE

REF: SECSTATE 232383

Classified By: POLOFF Keith Mines, Reasons 1.4 (B) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 003760

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV LE IS SY CA
SUBJECT: CANADA SUPPORTS BLUE LINE PEACE BUT HAS LITTLE
LEVERAGE

REF: SECSTATE 232383

Classified By: POLOFF Keith Mines, Reasons 1.4 (B) and (d)


1. (U) Poloff delivered reftel to Peter McRae, Director of
the Middle East Division at Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC) on
29 December 2005.


2. (C) McRae agreed with the American position of
encouraging Syria and Iran to end their support for
rejectionist groups in southern Lebanon as well as their
interference in internal Lebanese affairs but conceded that
the Government of Canada (GoC) has little leverage. He is
convinced that Syria perceives it to be in its best interest
to foment trouble and agitate for the ouster of Premier
Siniora and that Canadian relations with Syria were almost,
but not quite, as bad as those of the US. As a result,
opportunities for dialogue would likely be limited. He said,
however, that the GoC has repeatedly urged the Government of
the Syrian Arab Republic (SARG) to meet its obligations under
UNSCR 1559.


3. (C) McRae explained that GoC policy on Iran limits its
engagement to three issues: 1) nuclear, 2) general human
rights and 3) the Kazemi case. He added, however, that if
the occasion were to arise, the GoC would express the
positions outlined in reftel. Poloff provided a non-paper.

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WILKINS