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. -------------- -------------- Good Cop, Bad Cop Routine Stands to be Productive -------------- -------------- ¶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. -------------- A/S Silverberg Visit Welcomed -------------- ¶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