CANADIAN SUPPORT FOR THE PARIS DONORS CONFERENCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 002225 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/IPA (BELGRADE) AND EEB/IFD/ODF (DEMARCELLUS) E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2017 TAGS: PREL EAID KWBG KPAL IS CA SUBJECT: CANADIAN SUPPORT FOR THE PARIS DONORS CONFERENCE REF: STATE 163955 Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) PolMinCouns briefed Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Director General for Middle East and North Africa Gordon E. Venner on the upcoming Paris Donors Conference and expected U.S. contributions to the Palestinian Authority (reftel) on December 7. (Both Foreign Minister Bernier and Deputy Foreign Minister Edwards are out of the country.) Venner expressed Canada's strong support and its intent to participate constructively in the Paris conference, with Foreign Minister Bernier leading a multi-agency delegation. He explained that DFAIT and the Canadian International Development Agency had finalized an assistance proposal of "hundreds of millions" that should receive formal Cabinet blessing on December 11. He noted that any specifics we could share about expected funding from Gulf States and the Europeans would be helpful in the run-up to the Cabinet decision, but indicated that there was no real doubt that Canada would definitely make a "credible" contribution and go into the conference with "its head held high." He expressed relief that the U.S. intended to sustain similarly high levels of support in the out-years (subject to Congressional approval) and the hope that other donors would as well. Visit our shared North American Partnership blog (Canada & Mexico) at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap BREESE