CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF'S DEPARTURE; ANOTHER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 OTTAWA 000521 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2018 TAGS: PGOV MARR AF CA SUBJECT: CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF'S DEPARTURE; ANOTHER CONSERVATIVE SUCCESS Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reason 1.4 (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. General Hillier will step down as Canada's Chief of Defence Staff in July 2008. Despite long-time media speculation about bad blood between Hillier and the government (or at least about Conservative frustration related to his recurrent outspokenness),Hillier has been an unusually effective ally in military modernization, expansion of the Canadian Forces, and a continued military role in Afghanistan. The Conservatives appear to have succeeded in ensuring a graceful departure for Hillier, including warm tributes by the Prime Minister and Defence Minister, as well as separately by the Ambassador. End Summary. ¶2. (C) The announcement by Chief of the Defence Staff General Rick Hillier on April 15 that he would step down in July 2008 ended months of speculation about his departure and marked a much more gracious transition than most observers would have predicted only recently. At least twice in the past year -- first due to perceived frictions with then-Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor that led to O'Connor's replacement by Peter MacKay in August 2007, and then earlier this year after awkward allegations by the Prime Minister's press spokeswoman that the Canadian Forces were somehow at fault in not sharing information about transfer of Afghan detainees from their supervision to Afghan prisons -- many believed that the Conservative Government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper would feel obliged quickly to replace one of the most popular and visible CDSes in Canadian history. ¶3. (C) Instead, PM Harper kept General Hillier in place beyond the usual three year tenure of the CDS and left Hillier to make his own announcement late in the day. However, his formal announcement came only after Prime Minister Harper -- in response to an apparently "planted" question from a Conservative member during Question Period in the House of Commons on April 15 -- began to eulogize Hillier as a "great Canadian" and to note that "we are very proud to have worked with him," without commenting specifically on his departure or any possible replacement. Defence Minister MacKay and Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs (in the absence of Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier) Deepak Obhrai separately followed with similar tributes to Hillier with media representatives, again in advance of any actual announcement. Perhaps incidentally -- perhaps not -- the story of General Hillier's departure provided a welcome alternative to the televised images of the ROYAL Canadian Mounted Police searching the offices of the Conservative Party of Canada on April 15 under a search warrant from Elections Canada, apparently looking for documents related to an ongoing civil case about campaign spending irregularities in the 2006 federal election (septel). ¶4. (C) Although PM Harper "inherited" General Hillier from Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin (who had appointed Hillier as CDS in February 2005),General Hillier turned out to be a passionate and successful advocate for many of the top priorities of the Conservatives, notably military modernization, expansion of the Canadian Forces, and the continued importance of the deployment of the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan (where General Hillier had previously commanded the International Security Assistance Force). General Hillier's outspoken style sometimes conflicted openly QGeneral Hillier's outspoken style sometimes conflicted openly with the tightly disciplined public strategy of the Conservatives, but his popularity and credibility no doubt were important factors in winning Parliamentary support for the military's budget increases and then the March 2008 bipartisan motion to extend the mission in Kandahar until ¶2011. ¶5. (C) It is unlikely that General Hillier's replacement will maintain the same high profile. The Conservatives at this point have already won the toughest battles on their military agenda, and will probably be relieved to return to a more traditionally obscure public role for the next CDS. The July 2008 transition will also likely enable the next CDS' tenure to cover both the 2010 Winter Olympics and the expected 2011 departure of Canadian Forces from Kandahar. ¶6. (U) Statement by Prime Minister Harper, April 15, 2008 Quote I would like to thank General Rick Hillier for his outstanding service to Canada and contributions to the Canadian Forces. Over a career that has spanned three decades, he has defined a singular dedication not only to the men and women with whom he has served, but to the country he has so proudly represented. He has championed the OTTAWA 00000521 002 OF 003 revitalization of our military and the dignity of those who choose to serve. Canada's military is a proud institution. Our Government is committed to its tradition of leadership and will continue to support our troops, to provide the tools they need and to ensure the security and effectiveness of everyone who wears the uniform. Under General Hillier's leadership, the fine young men and women of the Canadian Forces have stood among the greatest of their generation. They have demonstrated to Canadians and the world the conviction and compassion with which enduring legacies are built. On behalf of all Canadians, I wish General Hillier the best in his future endeavours. End quote ¶7. (U) Message from General Hillier to the Canadian Forces, April 15, 2008 Quote I accepted the leadership of the Canadian Forces in February ¶2005. My goal was to set the conditions for our sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen to succeed in our critical and often dangerous tasks in defence of Canada, Canadians, and Canadian interests and values. We have achieved those key objectives, and reached the critical milestones I originally set out for us to reach by the end of my time as CDS. We have moulded our culture to one which recognizes that operations are our raison d'etre; that our efforts, all of them, must concentrate on achieving the missions and tasks given to us by the Government of Canada, on behalf of all Canadians. We have transformed how we recruit, train, equip, command, deploy, employ, bring home, recognize and care for our operational forces and our families, focused on achieving a strategic effect for Canada. We have done so while growing the Canadian Forces, re-equipping it, and while carrying out intense combat and peace support operations overseas and demanding, essential security tasks here at home. We have remembered how to grieve; to never forget our comrades and dear friends who have died in the service of Canada. Their sacrifice, and that of their families, deserves our unwavering commitment to ensure their loss is not in vain. We have been strengthened, immensely, by the vocal and visible support of millions of Canadians who have demonstrated that they recognize, understand and honour your service, and the sacrifice of your families. Leadership in the Canadian Forces is not the role of one single person; it is the responsibility of all who wear the Canadian Forces uniform. I believe you will now be best served by the invigoration of new leadership, with the vision, energy, and strength to lead you through the challenges that will lie ahead. For we have not finished evolving. We must continue to adapt, and improve our Forces to accomplish the tasks Canadians need us to perform in the complex, dangerous security environment before us. It is with great confidence that I await the selection of the senior leader who will take my place. I will continue to serve as your CDS until relieved of my duties by my successor, to be named in due course by our Prime Minister. My wife Joyce and I thank you for the rewarding years we have shared with you, and look forward to many years ahead as part of the Canadian Forces family. You are Canada's greatest credentials, our national treasures, and I am so very proud of you. It has been my honour and privilege to be your Chief of the Defence Staff. End quote ¶8. (U) Statement from Ambassador Wilkins April 15, 2008 Q8. (U) Statement from Ambassador Wilkins April 15, 2008 Quote General Rick Hillier has served his country and the cause of freedom with honor and distinction. His pride and faith in the young men and women of the Canadian Forces is truly contagious and his belief in their valor helped spread the seeds of democracy. Under his leadership, Canada played and will continue to play, a pivotal role in combating terror, and bringing hope OTTAWA 00000521 003 OF 003 to the hopeless. On behalf of the citizens of the United States and all freedom loving people, thank you, General Hillier, for your extraordinary leadership in these historic times. End quote Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada WILKINS