CANADIAN CONCERNS REGARDING MINISTERIAL IN CAYENNE

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000473 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EB/IFD/ODF J. GARBER, WHA.CAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON CA FR HA SUBJECT: CANADIAN CONCERNS REGARDING MINISTERIAL IN CAYENNE ON HAITI REF: SECSTATE 25099 (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Lajos Arendas, Deputy Director of the Central America and Caribbean Division of Foreign Affairs Canada. Arendas said that he has been in touch with the Department (EB) on the issue and understands that there has not been a decision yet on whether Secretary Rice will attend. He said Canada agrees that the meeting is not a good idea, although while we oppose its venue, Canada stands in opposition to the agenda. Arendas said that Canada asked France to change the forum to better reflect a political agenda, which is what is needed at present, rather than the specific aid focus. Given the agenda, Ottawa also does not believe that it should be held at the Ministerial level, and questions how it would be synchronized with the prep meeting on 24 February. He did say, however, that if Secretary Rice decides to attend, FM Pettigrew would probably SIPDIS attend as well; if not Ottawa would be represented by CIDA Director Carroll. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa CELLUCCI