Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07OTTAWA97
2007-01-18 22:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:
CANADA SEEKS MORE CONSULTATION BEFORE JANUARY 26
how-toVZCZCXRO2089 OO RUEHDBU RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHQU RUEHVC DE RUEHOT #0097 0182257 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 182257Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4795 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0759 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
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).
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
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