CANADA AGREES TO JOINT DEMARCHE RE UN SENIOR

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000010 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/A MEGHAN BRADLEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MOPS IO AF CA SUBJECT: CANADA AGREES TO JOINT DEMARCHE RE UN SENIOR CIVILIAN REPRESENTATIVE FOR AFGHANISTAN REF: STATE 1001 ¶1. (SBU) In response to reftel demarche on January 4, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) Afghanistan Task Force (FTAG) Deputy Director Richard Arbeiter confirmed that DFAIT would instruct the Canadian Permanent Representative to the UN in New York to participate in the joint demarche urging Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon to appoint Lord Ashdown as Senior Civilian Representative (SCR) for Afghanistan. ¶2. (SBU) Arbeiter explained that Canada fully recognizes the need to choose a European SCR, particularly in light of the shared desire eventually to "triple-hat" Lord Ashdown. He added, however, that Canada would like to see the SCR's terms of reference (TORs) specifically cite Canada as "a source of advice and support." Arbeiter added that Canada will do everything it can to help ensure that the SCR's inaugural trip to Afghanistan -- which he predicted would occur in late January -- is a success. To this end, Canada wants to work with the U.S. and other partners to deal with any possible sensitivities in Afghanistan arising from the creation of the SCR position, and to make sure Lord Ashdown appreciates the need to consult with as many Afghan interlocutors as possible. He underscored that "it's critical that he get it right from the outset." ¶3. (SBU) Arbeiter commented that the UNAMA annual review would occur in March and therefore it will be important for the U.S. and Canada to collaborate closely on setting the stage for the SCR to succeed. This will include ensuring Lord Ashdown has the power commensurate with the demands upon him and drafting a strong resolution regarding UNAMA that would translate into SCR authority over relevant UN budgets, he noted. ¶4. (SBU) Arbeiter said that he plans to discuss these and other matters when he and colleagues from FTAG meet with working-level counterparts in Washington, D.C. o/a January ¶15. He added that his team very much hopes that this meeting will focus on dialogue rather than on set-piece presentations. Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada BREESE