AMBASSADOR SPEAKS AT INAUGURAL MEETING OF

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000481

SIPDIS

FOR WHA/CAN AND H

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECIN ETRD PREL CA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR SPEAKS AT INAUGURAL MEETING OF
PARLIAMENT'S BORDER CAUCUS


1. (U) Summary: Ambassador Cellucci addressed the first
meeting of Parliament's new Border Caucus on February 8,

2005. The Ambassador affirmed our determination to keep the
border functioning, while sounding a note of caution about
the potential effects of marijuana liberalization in Canada
and discouraging visions of a "borderless" North America. He
offered the Mission's help in establishing contacts between
Members of Parliament in the Border Caucus and their
counterparts in the United States Congress. End summary.


2. (U) On February 8 Ambassador Cellucci spoke at the
founding meeting of Parliament's Border Caucus, a group of 37
Members of Parliament whose ridings are adjacent to the U.S.
border. Caucus members had decided late last year to meet
periodically to consolidate issues and share ideas regarding
improved management of the border to facilitate trade and
tourism in both directions. The formation of this multiparty
group was the inspiration of Russ Hiebert, Conservative MP
from British Columbia. In addition to Hiebert, there are
three other co-chairs: Claude Banchand (Bloc, Quebec),Roger
Gallaway (Liberal, Ontario),and Brian Masse (NDP, Ontario).


3. (U) The Ambassador congratulated the MPs on taking the
initiative to form a border caucus and pledged that the
Embassy would do what it could to assist the caucus' efforts.
He recounted that for the past three-and-one-half years the
Embassy's focus has been on keeping the border open for trade
and closed to terrorists. The Ambassador noted that much
progress had been made in speeding the passage of legitimate
goods and travelers, particularly with programs like FAST and
NEXUS, but that more needs to be done to increase capacity
and unlock bottlenecks.


4. (U) During a 15-minute question session, the Ambassador
was asked if he foresaw a day when Canada and the United
States would be able to do what Europe has done and eliminate
the border. The border will remain, the Ambassador replied,
but by advancing the process of integration we could create a
de facto "union," particularly if we achieve free trade for
individuals (i.e., elimination of customs duties) and labor
mobility. Asked what Canada can do to beef up its border
security, the Ambassador noted that a great deal has been
done by the new Canadian agencies formed in the past few
years, and that they are practicing "vigilant cooperation"
with their U.S. counterparts. Joint activities like the
International Border Enforcement Teams protect our countries'
citizens against terrorism as well as crime.


5. (U) In response to a question about Canada's potential
decriminalization of marijuana, the Ambassador cautioned
that, whatever the reality, such an action could create the
perception that marijuana is easy to obtain in Canada. That,
in turn, could cause heightened vigilance and inspections at
the U.S. border, causing delays and putting pressure on the
border at the same time as we are trying to speed things and
reduce pressure through the programs of the Smart Border
Action Plan.


6. (U) In closing, the Ambassador urged that Border Caucus
members make contact with their counterparts in the U.S.
Congress and offered the Embassy's help in facilitating these
contacts. He suggested as well that they should try to
interest more Congressmen in visiting Canada. Border Caucus
MPs expressed eagerness to connect with their counterparts in
the United States but indicated that they were not exactly
sure how to do so. (Comment: Embassy would appreciate any
assistance Department could offer on how to better connect
the U.S. and Canadian border caucuses. This kind of contact
would be helpful in solving problems, setting policies, and
directing funding as we seek to continue to promote the free
flow of goods and people in the safest and most efficient way
possible. End comment.)

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