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.

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WILKINS