CANADA SUPPORTS MAJORITY OF U.S. GOALS AT UNGA

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001265 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2018 TAGS: PREL PHUM UNGA CA SUBJECT: CANADA SUPPORTS MAJORITY OF U.S. GOALS AT UNGA REF: A. STATE 99672 ¶B. OTTAWA 1199 Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Canada supports the majority of U.S. goals for the upcoming UN General Assembly (UNGA) general debate and regular session, according to Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Deputy Director for UN and Commonwealth Affairs Shannon-Marie Soni. Deputy Foreign Minister Len Edwards is leading Canada's delegation to the UNGA general debate in lieu of the Prime Minister or Foreign Minister, due to Canada's ongoing federal election campaign, Soni confirmed. She noted that Canada shares the U.S. priorities of condemning Russia's actions in Georgia and renewing the International Security Assistance Force mandate in Afghanistan. HUMAN RIGHTS issues are also a priority for Canada, according to Soni, and Canada again plans to offer its resolution on Iran HUMAN RIGHTS in the Third Committee. Canada will also support resolutions on the HUMAN RIGHTS situations in Burma and North Korea, and will oppose resolutions on the defamation of religion (ref b). Canada agrees with the U.S. on the importance of the core Millennium Development Goals (MGDs),Soni added, as well as on the need to resist continuing efforts to expand the scope of the MGDs. While Canada agrees on the importance of food security, it will not attend the high-level dinner on food security that the Secretary-General will host, as the Canadians understood that it was only for heads of state or government. ¶2. (C) Canada is still determining its position on Serbia's request that the UNGA seek an International Court of Justice advisory opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence. Soni predicted, however, that Canada would likely oppose such a resolution. She confirmed that Canada strongly opposes bloc voting, and welcomes U.S. efforts to establish new voting patterns. Canada also strongly agrees with the U.S. on the need for UN reform, and sees management reform as one of the most important aspects. Canada also agrees on the need for UN Security COUNCIL reform, but would like the international community to focus on reforming the UNSC's working methods rather than simply expanding the UNSC, she explained. Canada has so far not supported any potential candidates as new permanent members of the UNSC, but does support increased "cross-regional" representation within the body. Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada WILKINS