CANADA AGREES WITH US "98 PERCENT" ON UN REFORM

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000133

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM KUNR ADCO CA UN
SUBJECT: CANADA AGREES WITH US "98 PERCENT" ON UN REFORM
ISSUES

REF: A. (A) SECSTATE 4746

B. (B) SECSTATE 4745

Classified By: POLMINCOUNS Brian Flora, Reason 1.4 (d)


1. (U) Ambassador David Wilkins delivered reftel points to
David Malone, Assistant Deputy Minister for Global Issues,
and Ferry de Kerckhove, Director General for International
Organizations, at Foreign Affairs Canada on January 17, 2006.
POL M/C and Poloff also attended.

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Good Cop, Bad Cop Routine Stands to be Productive
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2. (C) Malone stressed that the U.S. and Canada see eye to
eye on virtually all aspects of the UN reform agenda; he
believes the U.S. approach as outlined in the non-paper is
positive and focused on US priorities in a way that may, with
steady and collaborative determination, result in targeted
changes to management reform and to the Human Rights Council.
With Canada's UN Ambassador Rock co-chairing the management
reform process, Malone described agreement with the U.S. on
"virtually everything," despite occasional (and
understandable) tactical -- not philosophical -- variances on
the ground in New York. He felt that the USG "direct,
upfront" approach on reform can usually be supported by the
GoC's preference to look for compromise by identifying and
building bridges to the many UN members who are skeptical
about the direction reform is heading. Malone stressed that
the GoC is committed to moving the process forward with us.
The transformation of the Commission on Human Rights to a
more credible Human Rights Council will be a tough slog;
Malone fears that after concerted efforts to shape a leaner,
more effective Council, the new body could turn out looking
much like the old Commission. Malone worried that US and
Canadian constituents (NGOs and the public) will hold each of
our governments accountable if the new organization does not
reflect a new approach. The only way to get positive,
concrete results is to stay the course and continue to press.



3. (C) The one area of disagreement with the USG cited by
Malone related to UNSC expansion. Canada opposes new
permanent members because a larger membership would make the
Security Council more unwieldy. The GoC has already informed
the UNSC "hopefuls," including Japan, that it does not
support expansion of the Council. This said, the GoC does
support any country's right to run on its record for
immediate re-election. Malone said the enlargement debate
last year distracted from consideration of other reforms; in
any case, he doubted that progress could be made this year on
UNSC reform.

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A/S Silverberg Visit Welcomed
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4. (U) Malone and de Kerckhove praised the transparent
working relationship that exists directly between Ottawa and
Washington, particularly with State Department colleagues.
They reminded the Ambassador that they were still looking
forward to hosting a visit to Ottawa by A/S Kristen
Silverberg, whose visit last September was postponed owing to
the press of business in New York.

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

WILKINS