ITU PLENIPOTENTIARY CONFERENCE: U.S. CANDIDACY FOR

UNCLAS OTTAWA 003089 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EB/CIP/MA - SSHIPMAN, IO/T - JNAMBE, AND WHA/CAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECPS AORC ITU CA SUBJECT: ITU PLENIPOTENTIARY CONFERENCE: U.S. CANDIDACY FOR ITU COUNCIL AND FOR ITU RADIO REGULATIONS BOARD: CANADA'S REACTION REF: STATE 168720 ¶1. (U) On October 12, Economic Minister-Counselor presented reftel diplomatic notes to Bill Graham, Director, International Telecommunications Policy and Coordination, Industry Canada and Jim MacKenzie, Senior Advisor, International Telecommunications Policy and Coordination (Canada/United States),Telecommunications Policy Branch, Industry Canada. We also sent copies of the two diplomatic notes to Patrick Wittman, Director, United Nations and Commonwealth Affairs Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). ¶2. (U) Graham confirmed that Canada will support the U.S. candidacy for election to the International Telecommunications Council (ITU) as well as the nomination of Julie Napier Zoller for election to the ITU's Radio Regulations Board. He noted that Canada also seeks election to the ITU Council and has nominated its citizen Robert Jones for election to the Radio Regulations Board. Canada has sought USG support for its nominations through diplomatic notes presented to the U.S. Mission in Geneva. Economic Minister-Counselor promised to pass Canada's request for support of its election to the ITU Council and of Mr. Jones' election to the Radio Regulations Board to Washington. ¶3. (U) According to Graham, the Canadian delegation to the ITU Council meeting in Turkey will be headed by Dr. Robert McCaughern, Director General, Spectrum Engineering Branch at Industry Canada. He will be assisted by a delegation of about ten, mostly of GOC officials, but including three private sector representatives. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa WILKINS