Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08OTTAWA251
2008-02-19 22:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:
FOREIGN MINISTER BERNIER ON KOSOVO
VZCZCXRO1821 OO RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHQU RUEHVC DE RUEHOT #0251 0502229 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 192229Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7328 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 000251
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2018
TAGS: PREL KV YI EU CA
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER BERNIER ON KOSOVO
REF: OTTAWA 246
Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000251
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2018
TAGS: PREL KV YI EU CA
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER BERNIER ON KOSOVO
REF: OTTAWA 246
Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) The Ambassador reached Canadian Foreign Minister
Bernier by phone in Colombia (the FM is on a Latin America
visit). Saying he had been asked by the Secretary to call,
Ambassador strongly urged Canada to join the U.S. and its
other allies in recognizing Kosovo's independence. Minister
Bernier stated that Canada's government had decided not to be
in the first wave of countries and is still considering its
position. Canada may be in the "second wave" or the "third
wave," but the FM said no decision has been made at this
point.
2. (C) Bernier told the Ambassador that Quebec and its
separatist movement are the hindrance for Canada. He
recognizes that Kosovo and Quebec are completely different
situations, but the government must tread carefully on
anything touching Quebec separatism -- especially with the
possibility of an early federal election. (Note: Parti
Quebecois politicians have been publicly asserting that early
acceptance of Kosovo's independence declaration is, in fact,
a precedent for an independent Quebec. End note)
Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada
WILKINS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2018
TAGS: PREL KV YI EU CA
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER BERNIER ON KOSOVO
REF: OTTAWA 246
Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) The Ambassador reached Canadian Foreign Minister
Bernier by phone in Colombia (the FM is on a Latin America
visit). Saying he had been asked by the Secretary to call,
Ambassador strongly urged Canada to join the U.S. and its
other allies in recognizing Kosovo's independence. Minister
Bernier stated that Canada's government had decided not to be
in the first wave of countries and is still considering its
position. Canada may be in the "second wave" or the "third
wave," but the FM said no decision has been made at this
point.
2. (C) Bernier told the Ambassador that Quebec and its
separatist movement are the hindrance for Canada. He
recognizes that Kosovo and Quebec are completely different
situations, but the government must tread carefully on
anything touching Quebec separatism -- especially with the
possibility of an early federal election. (Note: Parti
Quebecois politicians have been publicly asserting that early
acceptance of Kosovo's independence declaration is, in fact,
a precedent for an independent Quebec. End note)
Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada
WILKINS