CANADIAN INTERIM RESPONSE ON AFGHAN REFUGEES

UNCLAS OTTAWA 001427 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR PRM/ECA-AWENDT AND NHASTINGS AND WHA/CAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF PHUM IR PK AF CA SUBJECT: CANADIAN INTERIM RESPONSE ON AFGHAN REFUGEES CONFERENCE DEMARCHE REF: STATE 118597 ¶1. (U) This is an action request -- see para 3. ¶2. (SBU) On November 7, Deputy Pol/C conveyed reftel demarche points to James Gilmour, regional policy officer of the Afghan Task Force at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). Gilmour promised to canvas colleagues and provide an early response. He requested the most up-to-date information on U.S. policy toward Iran so that DFAIT can better craft "creative solutions" to the Afghan refugee situation without crossing U.S. "redlines." Deputy Pol/C noted the December 8 U.S.-EU-Canada trilateral meeting on Iran in Ottawa would be an excellent opportunity for Afghan Task Force members to sit down with State's Iran experts. ¶3. (SBU) Action request: Please advise if such a briefing is possible on December 8, and/or provide the requested information on Iran to share with DFAIT. Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada WILKINS