CANADA UNABLE TO HELP JOINT INTEGRATED UNITS BUT

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000053 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/SPG PAMELA FIERST E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM SU CA SUBJECT: CANADA UNABLE TO HELP JOINT INTEGRATED UNITS BUT SUPPORTS CPA REF: STATE 01335 ¶1. (SBU) According to Sudan Desk Officer Suehila Elkateb at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, legal prohibitions on providing military assistance to Sudan, in place since the 1990s, make it impossible for Canada to assist with the JIU program. Even given the exemptions in resolution 1591 for CPA implementation, Canadian law would not allow for this kind of program, according to Elkateb. She added that Canada does not even have a military attache in Khartoum, but relies on a regional officer to cover Sudan. She reiterated that Canada nonetheless remains committed to supporting the CPA and has a number of projects in justice sector reform, IDPs, and support for AMIS, among several others, and recognizes the importance of the JIU program. ¶2. (U) On January 9, Foreign Minister Bernier issued the following statement on the third anniversary of the signing of the CPA: "The Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed three years ago, on January 9, 2005, but despite progress in key areas of the agreement, some of these critical provisions remain to be fully implemented. Canada believes full implementation of the Agreement represents the cornerstone of efforts to achieve a lasting peace throughout Sudan. Canada urges all parties to negotiate in a spirit of compromise conducive to ongoing dialogue and reconciliation. In this context, Canada welcomes the Sudan People's Liberation movement's recent decision to recommence participation in the Government of National Unity, as well as the Government's announcement of a new Cabinet including ministers from the Sudan People's Liberation Movement. Canada also welcomes the January 1 transfer of authority over peacekeeping operations in Sudan's Darfur region from the African Union Mission in Sudan to the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur. Canada calls on all parties to the Darfur conflict to pursue peace negotiations in good faith." Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada WILKINS