Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05OTTAWA970
2005-04-01 20:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:  

CANADA ON SUPPORT FOR EXISTING DRAFT SHIP BOARDING

Tags:  KNNP MNUC PARM PREL KTIA PHSA EWWT PGOV CA 
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UNCLAS OTTAWA 000970 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT. FOR L/LEI AND NP/RA
PASS TO USDOJ/RAABE AND USCG/LCDR KIESERMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL KTIA PHSA EWWT PGOV CA
SUBJECT: CANADA ON SUPPORT FOR EXISTING DRAFT SHIP BOARDING
AMENDMENTS TO SUA CONVENTION

REF: A) OTTAWA 943 B) STATE 55182

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. FOR INTERNAL USG USE. HANDLE
ACCORDINGLY.

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000970

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT. FOR L/LEI AND NP/RA
PASS TO USDOJ/RAABE AND USCG/LCDR KIESERMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL KTIA PHSA EWWT PGOV CA
SUBJECT: CANADA ON SUPPORT FOR EXISTING DRAFT SHIP BOARDING
AMENDMENTS TO SUA CONVENTION

REF: A) OTTAWA 943 B) STATE 55182

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. FOR INTERNAL USG USE. HANDLE
ACCORDINGLY.


1. (U) Polmiloff discussed reftel B points with Catherine
Boucher, in the UN, Criminal and Treaty Law Division (JLA) at
Foreign Affairs Canada late on March 31. Boucher prefaced
her comments by noting that Canada-U.S. consultations on this
matter are on-going. In this regard, collaboration has been
excellent, she said.


2. (SBU) Regarding demarche points, Boucher said that the
Canadian government was still working through elements of the
draft text internally. While the GOC readily could support
"most of the text," potential concerns had been raised about
the adequacy (or lack) of a domestic legal structure to
address claims/compensation and drug-related interventions.
Boucher stressed that Canada would rather not reopen
provisions of Draft Article 8bis given the "difficulties of
negotiations" at the IMO. But the government also wanted to
avoid having to pass new legislation at this time. (NOTE:
Though Boucher did not elaborate, we believe that the
"minority" status in Parliament of the Martin government is a
factor in this. The parliamentary minority has created a
highly-charged political environment that makes it difficult
for the Liberals to advance their legislative agenda. The
government is focused on avoiding a no-confidence vote that
would force elections before the Liberals have greater
assurance of winning a majority. END NOTE.). Boucher said
she would welcome the opportunity to learn from members of
the U.S. delegation what provisions/ measures exist in U.S.
law to cover claims and drug-related ship boardings.

Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa

DICKSON