Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08OTTAWA1558
2008-12-16 20:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:
CANADA STUDYING SUPPORT FOR AFGHAN ELECTION
how-toVZCZCXRO7907 PP RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHMT RUEHQU RUEHVC DE RUEHOT #1558 3512043 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 162043Z DEC 08 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8872 INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001558
SIPDIS
EUR/RPM FOR A. COPE AND SCA/A FOR N. SINGH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/16/2018
TAGS: PREL NATO MOPS MARR AF CA
SUBJECT: CANADA STUDYING SUPPORT FOR AFGHAN ELECTION
SECURITY
REF: STATE 131480
Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001558
SIPDIS
EUR/RPM FOR A. COPE AND SCA/A FOR N. SINGH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/16/2018
TAGS: PREL NATO MOPS MARR AF CA
SUBJECT: CANADA STUDYING SUPPORT FOR AFGHAN ELECTION
SECURITY
REF: STATE 131480
Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Canada is well aware of the currently circulating
SHAPE estimate of force contributions required for Election
Support Forces (ESF) in Afghanistan, and is now actively
studying the "realm of the possible" to enhance security in
the run up to the 2009 Afghan elections, according to
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)
Afghan Task Force deputy director Shannon Smith. Smith and
DFAIT senior policy advisor David Fairchild said that they
would await an analysis of the estimate, as well as further
reporting on recent military and political discussions in
Brussels, from Canada's NATO mission prior to formulating an
in-depth response to reftel demarche.
2. (C) Smith cautioned that DFAIT would defer to the
Department of National Defence (DND) in making any further
commitment of troops for ESF, and that Canada's future force
requirements to support the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics
and the 2010 G-8 meetings in Canada would make it unlikely
that Canada could contribute any additional forces for
Afghanistan. Smith promised that DFAIT will work with DND to
study possibilities on extending troop rotations and
re-structuring service member leave to ensure that the
maximum number of Canadian forces assigned to Afghanistan are
in theater during the critical periods of the election.
Fairchild emphasized that Canada was also interested in
supporting the election through "non-kinetic" means and will
have funding available for national and provincial civic
outreach and voter registration.
3. (C) Fairchild plans to attend the January 10, 2009 CENTCOM
planning conference on Afghanistan in Qatar. He will strive
to ensure a more complete and definitive Canadian response to
reftel demarche before then, but predicted that this was
unlikely by December 23.
Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada
WILKINS
SIPDIS
EUR/RPM FOR A. COPE AND SCA/A FOR N. SINGH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/16/2018
TAGS: PREL NATO MOPS MARR AF CA
SUBJECT: CANADA STUDYING SUPPORT FOR AFGHAN ELECTION
SECURITY
REF: STATE 131480
Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Canada is well aware of the currently circulating
SHAPE estimate of force contributions required for Election
Support Forces (ESF) in Afghanistan, and is now actively
studying the "realm of the possible" to enhance security in
the run up to the 2009 Afghan elections, according to
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)
Afghan Task Force deputy director Shannon Smith. Smith and
DFAIT senior policy advisor David Fairchild said that they
would await an analysis of the estimate, as well as further
reporting on recent military and political discussions in
Brussels, from Canada's NATO mission prior to formulating an
in-depth response to reftel demarche.
2. (C) Smith cautioned that DFAIT would defer to the
Department of National Defence (DND) in making any further
commitment of troops for ESF, and that Canada's future force
requirements to support the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics
and the 2010 G-8 meetings in Canada would make it unlikely
that Canada could contribute any additional forces for
Afghanistan. Smith promised that DFAIT will work with DND to
study possibilities on extending troop rotations and
re-structuring service member leave to ensure that the
maximum number of Canadian forces assigned to Afghanistan are
in theater during the critical periods of the election.
Fairchild emphasized that Canada was also interested in
supporting the election through "non-kinetic" means and will
have funding available for national and provincial civic
outreach and voter registration.
3. (C) Fairchild plans to attend the January 10, 2009 CENTCOM
planning conference on Afghanistan in Qatar. He will strive
to ensure a more complete and definitive Canadian response to
reftel demarche before then, but predicted that this was
unlikely by December 23.
Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada
WILKINS