CANADA: "YES" TO UN RE-HATTING BUT "NO" TO NATO

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000028 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINS PREL KPKO CA SU UNSC NATO SUBJECT: CANADA: "YES" TO UN RE-HATTING BUT "NO" TO NATO REF: SECSTATE 1351 This message is Sensitive But Unclassified. ¶1. (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel on 6 January to Wendy Gilmore, Director of the Sudan Task Force at Foreign Affairs Canada. After noting the value of regular weekly conference calls with DOS, UK and EU counterparts, she characterized the GoC's immediate efforts prior to the January 12 meeting as focused on development of the most effective strategy to convince the AU to put in a formal request for re-hatting to the UN. The GoC distributed a demarche request last week to its posts in countries with membership on the Peace and Security Council as well as to other key AU states and requested posts' response by COB January 6. That allows for a continuing push early next week. Gilmore suggested a more optimistic implementation date of summer 2006, particularly if the USG introduces a resolution in February. The full transfer of authority could then take place by September 1. ¶2. (SBU) Gilmore stressed that the GoC views NATO's role as limited due to what she characterized as the institution's "terrifying" impression held by many African countries. It is more important to identify AMIS/UNMIS mission needs -- like logistics or training -- and establish ways of meeting them rather than integrating NATO as an institution into the process. She added that some NATO member states are already meeting these needs bilaterally and urged that NATO, as an institution, "cannot be out in front" on this. She offered, however, that post-transition, NATO could possibly play an arms-length logistical support role and offer incremental training. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa WILKINS