UNCLAS OTTAWA 002294

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE -- IO/MPR FOR LEIS
USUN FOR RASHKOW

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL AORC UNGA CA
SUBJECT: UN BUDGET DEMARCHE

REF: STATE 168902


1. (SBU) In response to reftel demarche by PolMinCouns on
December 20, Department of Foreign Affairs and International
Trade Director for UN and Commonwealth Affairs David Wittmann
confirmed that Canada shared our concern about growth in the
UN budget and that its delegation in New York was working to
push back wherever possible. He noted, however, that some
growth items reflect our shared priorities, notably regarding
management reform. He expressed Canada's full support for
the principle of budget restraint and promised to confer
immediately with the Canadian mission in New York to urge
continued close cooperation with USUN.

Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada

BREESE