CANADA CONSIDERING FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001253 SIPDIS STATE FOR G - J. FERRAO AND DRL/MLGA - L. JORDAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2018 TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM UNGA CA SUBJECT: CANADA CONSIDERING FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES REF: STATE 97313 Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) CANADA is leaning toward extending financial support to the Community of Democracies (CD) Secretariat, and will likely announce that it is exploring ways to provide a modest contribution at the September 26 CD meeting, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFAIT) Senior Policy Analyst for Democracy and War Economies Craig Kowalik. CANADA cannot, however, make any decisions regarding a possible increase in future contributions due to government's current caretaker status until after the October 14 national elections, he noted. DFAIT will nonetheless likely advise the next government to increase Canadian participation in the CD and to make a financial contribution to the UN Democracy Fund, he predicted. CANADA plans to send a deputy minister (probably Len Edwards) to the September 26 CD meeting, since the Foreign Minister (as an elected official) may not attend official meetings during the ongoing election campaign. ¶2. (C) CANADA had praised Poland for establishing the CD Secretariat, said Kowalik, but would like to see the Secretariat focus its resources on practical, concrete initiatives. DFAIT may soon develop a concept paper outlining ideas for such possible pragmatic CD projects, he added. The CD could, for example, hold training courses for diplomats based on the diplomatic handbook that CANADA funded through the CD. CANADA supports Portugal as the CD chair, and Lithuania as the next chair of the CD. It agrees with the U.S. on the need for stronger CD leadership and supports the CD speaking out on matters that directly affect the shared values and international commitment of its members. Canada will urge the CD to adhere to its established membership criteria in advance of future Ministerial meetings, according to Kowalik, and supports the concept of NGO engagement at the UN through the CD. CANADA wants NGOs to play a larger role in providing advice to the CD membership in advance of each ministerial as well. Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada WILKINS