CANADA "HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION" ON JOINING

UNCLAS OTTAWA 002766 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR OES/ETC AND WHA/CAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV UNGA CA SUBJECT: CANADA "HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION" ON JOINING CAWT REF: STATE 148162 ¶1. On September 11 the Ambassador discussed the Secretary's invitation to participate in her press event on the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT) with Foreign Minister Peter MacKay, urging that Canada join CAWT and pressing MacKay to attend the September 22 event in New York. Although MacKay was non-committal as to Canada joining CAWT, noting this was a cabinet decision that fell primarily under the jurisdiction of Environment Minister Rona Ambrose, he did tell the Ambassador he believed things were "heading in the right direction." ¶2. EST Counselor also discussed the invitation and Canada's interest in CAWT with contacts in Environment Canada (EC) and Foreign Affairs Canada (DFAIT). Foreign Affairs contacts acknowledged that Canada was taking a long time in deciding on joining CAWT and admitted that the Secretary's invitation might help concerned ministries reach that decision more expeditiously. Environment Canada contacts told Embassy that Ambrose has said "Canada would like to find a way to join CAWT," and that she hopes to be involved in a public announcement of Canada,s partnership in CAWT. ¶3. Embassy will continue to monitor developments at both EC and DFAIT, urging that Canada decide affirmatively and that Foreign Minister MacKay attend the Secretary's CAWT press event in New York on September 22. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa WILKINS