C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000856

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE PASS ISN/CB AND EUR/PRA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2017
TAGS: PARM PREL CBW CA
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA GROUP: CANADA RETAINS FOCUS ON RUSSIA

REF: STATE 58355

Classified By: PolMinCouns Brian Flora. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) We delivered reftel points on May 8 to Department of
Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)
Non-proliferation Policy Officer Kendra Davidson. Canada,
she assured us, would send its usual delegation of both
policy and "hands-on" enforcement personnel to Paris.


2. (C) Responding to reftel points four through six,
Davisdon remarked that at last year's Australia Group (AG)
plenary Canada had emphasized its interest in finding out
more about Russia's chemical and biological weapons (CBW)
programs, its oversight capacity, and related trade controls.
To date Russian officials have not responded to GOC requests
for information, Davidson said. Instead, they have insisted
that, unlike other prospective members who must apply for
membership, Russia should be invited to join the AG.
Russia's UNSCR 1540 report reflects the GOR's determined
obfuscation, she groused, "It creates the impression of
strong oversight without identifying the who and the how."


3. (C) Canada dislikes France's suggestion that the AG
invite Russia to attend as an observer, Davidson said.
Rather, Canada would "to a point" support the Australian
proposal that there be an AG Secretariat-led discussion with
Russia regarding its CBW programs. Meantime, Canadian
authorities would appreciate any available USG reporting and
analysis on Russia's CBW and related capacity before the June
4-7 AG plenary.


4. (SBU) Kendra Davidson's contact information:
Telephone: (613) 944-1308
E-mail: Kendra.Davidson@international.gc.ca

Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa

WILKINS