CANADA WELCOMES U.S. - CARIBBEAN SECURITY

UNCLAS OTTAWA 001393 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA G. SNIDLE AND WHA/CAR - M. FORTIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER SNAR KJUS EAID MASS XL CA SUBJECT: CANADA WELCOMES U.S. - CARIBBEAN SECURITY DIALOGUE, WANTS TO PARTICIPATE REF: STATE 114232 ¶1. (U) Action request - please see para 4. ¶2. (SBU) In response to reftel demarche, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) Deputy Director for Defence and Security Relations Michael Kaduck told pol/miloff on October 29 that Canada is keen to participate in the U.S. - Caribbean Security Dialogue. Officials from both DFAIT and Public Safety Canada will attend the event, he said. The Dialogue complements the Conservative government's desire to intensify security engagement in the Americas, and to partner with like-minded states in bolstering Caribbean and Central American governance and security, according to Kaduck. ¶3. (SBU) Kaduck commented that Canada welcomed greater U.S. attention to the Caribbean after seven years of "understandable and appropriate" focus on major challenges in South Asia and the Middle East. He added that sustained U.S. engagement in the Caribbean will provide opportunities for willing but less capable partners like Canada to leverage their contributions to greater effect. Kaduck asked whether the U.S. envisions Canadian (and European) assistant secretary-equivalents attending the Dialogue. If so, he observed, they would want to bring staff. ¶4. (U) Action request: please clarify desired level and size of Canadian representation at the Dialogue. Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada BREESE