Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08OTTAWA1535
2008-12-09 17:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:
CANADA CRAFTING PIRACY POLICY RESPONSES
how-toVZCZCXRO2067 OO RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHMT RUEHQU RUEHVC DE RUEHOT #1535 3441715 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 091715Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8834 INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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)
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
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