CANADIAN VIEWS ON POSSIBLE NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 003015 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR ISN AND EAP E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2016 TAGS: KNNP PREL PARM KN CA SUBJECT: CANADIAN VIEWS ON POSSIBLE NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR TEST REF: SECSTATE 166404 Classified By: A/DCM BRIAN FLORA FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) In the Ambassador's absence, A/DCM met on October 3 with Colleen Swords, Department of Foreign Affairs Political Director. CANADA shares our outrage and concerns regarding North Korea's declaration that it planned to test a nuclear weapon. The Foreign Affairs spokesperson immediately declared that such a test would be an "act of provocation" that would have a destabilizing impact on the entire region; it could only further isolate North Korea. CANADA intended to approach to China encourage its active involvement and would probably register its extreme disappointment directly with the North Korean Permrep in New York, who also serves as their Ambassador to Canada. ¶2. (C) Swords noted that she had discussed the matter this morning with U/S Burns and could not agree more with our approach to the problem, including our commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through diplomatic means. She applauded our raising the issue in the UNSC, and said CANADA would urge discussion at the upcoming IAEA core group meeting. She also said CANADA would welcome and support any attempt to re-activate the 5 plus 5 process, especially if it were the "trick" to somehow get North Korea back to the negoatiating table. She asked how CANADA could be helpful in getting this started. ¶3. (C) Lastly, ADM Swords commented that the timing of a planned October 19 missile test by France into the North Atlantic risked sending the wrong non-proliferation signals to North Korea and to Iran. The missile, which is configured to carry nuclear weapons, might be cited by these two countries as justification for continuing their own programs. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa WILKINS