CANADA SEEKS MORE CONSULTATION BEFORE JANUARY 26

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000097 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS STATE PASS EUR/RPM AND WHA/CAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/18/2017 TAGS: PREL MARR NATO CA SUBJECT: CANADA SEEKS MORE CONSULTATION BEFORE JANUARY 26 NATO MINISTERIAL REF: STATE 4834 Classified By: POLMINCOUNS BRIAN FLORA. REASONS: 1.4(b) AND (d). ¶1. This is an action request. Please see para 6. ¶2. (C) Responding to reftel points on January 17, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) NATO Deputy Director Isabelle Poupart expressed appreciation for the briefing, noted that the GOC would welcome early receipt of specific U.S. requests on Afghanistan, and confirmed that Foreign Minister Peter MacKay would attend the January 26 NATO Foreign Ministerial in Brussels. ¶3. (C) Poupart said that Canada expected Afghanistan to dominate the ministerial agenda. While Kosovo was important, she said, Canada viewed ISAF as by far NATO's most challenging current mission. Poupart noted that the themes in our demarche mostly tracked with Canadian views, that Afghanistan was and would continue to be Canada's largest aid recipient, and that the GOC was eager to learn the details of, and coordinate to the extent possible with, the upcoming U.S. announcement on support for Afghanistan. She said she hoped to be in a position to be more specific about Canada's approach to the ministerial next week when we deliver our follow-on demarche outlining specific U.S. requests of Canada. ¶4. (C) Turning to the Afghan-Pakistan border region, Poupart said that she was pleased by Defense Secretary Gates' focus on troop levels and on the challenge emanating from Pakistan during his visit this week to Afghanistan. Canada was keen to see NATO develop a relationship with Pakistan, she said. FM MacKay had conveyed this point to the NATO Secretary General on January 16, and expected it to be an important part of the discussion in Brussels. ¶5. (C/NF) Poupart asked about the Minsterial's choreography, wondering specifically what the U.S. had in mind for the Trans-Atlantic Lunch. She noted that, having just returned from the Middle East, MacKay would be willing to discuss issues affecting that region, perhaps at the lunch. If that was what we expected, Poupart said, she would appreciate a preview of the U.S. presentation on that issue so she could ensure that MacKay emphasized the right points. ¶6. (C) Action Request: Within its means, Canada is prepared to cooperate closely with us at the NATO Foreign Ministerial in Brussels. Post requests Department convey responses soonest to Poupart's queries regarding specific U.S. deliverables at Brussels, our current thinking on Afghanistan-Pakistan border issues, ministerial choreography, and what points we would like FM MacKay to emphasize should the conversation turn to the Middle East. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa WILKINS