CANADA CRAFTING PIRACY POLICY RESPONSES

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001535 SIPDIS PM/PPA FOR D. GLANCY AND PM/ISO FOR J. FREDERICK E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2018 TAGS: PREL MOPS PTER PBTS CA SUBJECT: CANADA CRAFTING PIRACY POLICY RESPONSES REF: A. OTTAWA 1524 ¶B. STATE 126055 Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. Canada is still deliberating about its policy on piracy in the Horn of Africa, but is somewhat stymied by its domestic legal framework, which makes no provision for prosecuting international piracy. DFAIT legal and policy officers continue to search for answers on how best to contribute to international anti-piracy efforts. One or possibly two Canadian vessels might be available for anti-piracy duties in late spring 2009. End Summary. ¶2. (C) According to Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) regional security policy officer Sarah Robertson (who is the lead DFAIT planner on piracy), Canada is "highly seized" with the piracy issue. Canada signed on as a co-sponsor of UNSCR 1816 for its first version and subsequent renewal. The main policy hurdle, Robertson explained, is what Canada would do if it arrests or detains pirates in the waters of the Horn. Robinson admitted that DFAIT does not have any &good answers to that problem yet,8 and is &unlikely to have ones anytime soon.8 Robertson added that Canada is actively considering ship patrols as part of its new policy, as well as humanitarian aid, logistic support, partnerships with international organizations, and support for non-governmental organizations. She declined to preview further details of the policy paper while it is still in draft form. ¶3. (C) Robertson also said that DFAIT is still clearing its policy paper internally, after which it will solicit views from the Department of National Defence and the Privy Council Office (PCO) on the most realistic options. She noted that the coordination process will likely take another few weeks, but promised to share key elements with Embassy once the policy receives the PCO,s imprimatur. Robertson took special note of the U.S. offer to play a coordinating role. ¶4. (C) Currently, Canada has no ships in the vicinity of the Horn of Africa, according to Robertson, so it could not offer immediate resources to combat the ongoing spike in pirate attacks. She advised that one Canadian ship, and possibly a second as well, might be in the general area in late spring ¶2009. Canada might consider diverting them from their proposed missions for anti-piracy duties, but Robertson cautioned that Canada would have to make the decision in concert with NATO planners. Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada BREESE