CANADA REITERATES BACKING U.S. POSITION ON GEORGIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001092 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2018 TAGS: MOPS PREL NATO OSCE GG RS CA SUBJECT: CANADA REITERATES BACKING U.S. POSITION ON GEORGIA REF: A. OTTAWA 1090 ¶B. STATE 87254 ¶C. STATE 87098 Classified By: AMB DAVID WILKINS FOR REASONS 1.4 (b.) and (d.) ¶1. (C) Colleen Swords, Assistant Deputy Minister for International Security Affairs (and Canada's G-8 Political Director),called DCM August 15 to follow up on the Ambassador's demarche to Deputy Foreign Minister Edwards (refs b and c). Swords said the Ambassador's points had been "well received by the Deputy Minister" and that Canada agreed with the U.S. She reported that Canada had made a strong statement August 14 at the OSCE meeting, calling for an increase in the OSCE observer presence in Georgia. Swords said Canada is looking at a further statement by the Prime Minister but noted that events are moving so quickly that each draft seems to be overtaken before it is forwarded to the PM's staff for approval. She assured DCM that any statement by the PM will include concern about Russia's actions and will call for a stronger observer presence in both Georgia proper and South Ossetia. ¶2. (C) Swords said Canada understands the current OSCE observer mission is only eight strong and that all are military personnel. Canada would appreciate more information on the U.S. concept for the proposed expanded OSCE observer mission, particularly any plans for a civilian component and its role. ¶3. (C) Action Request: Post requests guidance on U.S. proposals for an expanded OSCE observer mission that we can share with Canada. Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada WILKINS