SANTA CRUZ MINISTERIAL ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

UNCLAS OTTAWA 003503 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR WHA/CAN AND WHA/USOAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ECON EFIN ETRD PHUM SENV OAS CA SUBJECT: SANTA CRUZ MINISTERIAL ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DEMARCHE: CANADIAN RESPONSE REF: STATE 191887 ¶1. (U) On November 30, Economic Minister presented reftel demarche conveying U.S. views on the Santa Cruz Ministerial on Sustainable Development at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) to an inter-agency group headed by Leonard Beaulne, Deputy Director (Policy), Brazil, Southern Cone, and Inter-American Relations Division, DFAIT. Some on Canada's Santa Cruz delegation participated in the meeting. ¶2. (U) Based on the group's reaction, the GoC appears to support the thrust of our demarche. Canada agrees that the Santa Cruz Declaration should be pruned back to focus on a few essential elements. Last minute additions to the draft, such as on climate change, are problematic. The Canadians believe that the Latin Americans do not agree among themselves about the scientific evidence on climate change. If it is eventually decided that the issue must be added to the Declaration for political reasons, the GoC believes that the relevant language should be neutral and factual. Environment Canada suggested that previous agreed upon climate change language in a G-8 statement might be the source for acceptable language around which a consensus could form. Canada completely agrees that the Santa Cruz meeting must also approve the OAS's Integrated Program on Sustainable Development (PIDS). The Canadian delegation looks forward to working closely with the US delegation during the final Declaration drafting process in Santa Cruz. Several ruefully anticipate participating in all-night drafting sessions. ¶3. (U) Canada's delegation will be headed by its Ambassador to the OAS, Graeme Clark, and includes staff from DFAIT, National Resources Canada, Parks Canada, Environment Canada, and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa WILKINS