EMBASSY OTTAWA PROPOSALS FOR AMBASSADOR'S CT FUND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 OTTAWA 000595 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR S/CT E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2018 TAGS: PTER PGOV PREL CA SUBJECT: EMBASSY OTTAWA PROPOSALS FOR AMBASSADOR'S CT FUND REF: STATE 20081 OTTAWA 00000595 001.2 OF 003 Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Canada is a close partner on counterterrorism and border security; there is little we do in the counterterrorism arena that does not touch our partnership with Canada. Still, there are areas where we see things differently than our Canadian neighbors, and there are areas where we wish Canada would place more emphasis. Given the importance of Canada to our security -- we share the longest undefended border in the world -- Embassy would like to offer five project proposals -- in priority order -- for the Ambassador's CT fund in the areas of counter-radicalization, raising awareness, and narrative development. Embassy very much appreciates S/CT's flexibility in extending the deadline for submission of our proposals. End Summary. PROPOSAL #1: RAISING AWARENESS OF TERRORIST FINANCING ¶2. (C) Background: Canada has long been a source of funding for terrorist and insurgent groups because of its immigrant population from places such as Sri Lanka and its very diverse and open economy and banking system. A recent report by the international Financial Action Task Force (FATF) found "serious issues" with the Canadian Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre's (FINTRAC) ability to trace illicit cash transfers. Canada recently enacted new "Proceeds of Crime" legislation that should strengthen its ability to track and prosecute financial crimes, but to date it has only charged three individuals with crimes related to terrorist financing and has had no convictions. The FATF report urged the Government of Canada to "consider how the TF offence could be more effectively implemented." ¶3. (C) Proposal: We propose funding a speaker to come to Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver to raise awareness of the issues related to terrorist financing, and especially to raise public and official awareness of the methods terrorist groups use to mask transactions, as well as the evolving legal and forensic tools that are available to combat such financing. An expert such as Matthew Levitt, currently Director of the Stein Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (former DAS for intelligence and analysis at Treasury),could very effectively fill this role. In a 10 day tour covering the four cities, he could do press outreach, public speaking events, and private meetings with federal and provincial Canadian government officials. Another individual who would fill this role well would be John Roth, principal author of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States' "Monograph on Terrorist Financing." Such a program with travel, per diem, and stipend would cost approximately US$20,000. PROPOSAL #2: RAISING AWARENESS OF THE TERRORIST THREAT ¶4. (C) Background: With regard to terrorist attacks, Canadians have long held the view that "it can't happen here," because of their perceptions of a less confrontational Canadian foreign policy and positive socio-economic policies. The case of the Toronto 18 was a major wake-up call to Canadians, when for the first time since the Air India bombing they faced an apparent terrorist threat from within. The initial popular reaction was strong, as pundits asked "how dare they," and surmised that it could, indeed, just be a matter of time before Canada, the last of Bin Ladin's Qa matter of time before Canada, the last of Bin Ladin's declared hit list to steer clear of attacks, was finally hit. But subsequent investigations have now whittled the case down to the "Toronto 11," and complacent Canadians have begun again to push the snooze button. ¶5. (C) Proposal: Canada has several serious academics and analysts of terrorism, such as Stewart Bell, who writes hard-hitting books and articles on the threat within. But there is no one with the long background of certain American analysts, such as Brian Michael Jenkins of Rand, who has both the track record and the credibility to raise awareness of the new terrorist threat without being shrill or having a political agenda. Jenkins' recent piece for Rand -- "The New Age of Terrorism" -- explains how terrorism has become bloodier, while terrorists have developed new financial resources that make them less dependent on state sponsors, have new models of organization, can wage global campaigns, and have effectively exploited new communications technologies. This message would be a helpful one in Canada to keep the focus on the global terrorist threat and garner public support for stronger anti-terrorist measures. Similar OTTAWA 00000595 002.2 OF 003 to proposal # 1 we suggest a multiple-city speaking tour to Calgary, Halifax, Toronto, and Ottawa. Total cost would be approximately US$20,000. Others who could do a similarly effective program would be Martha Crenshaw from Wesleyan University (former chair of the American Political Science Association's Task Force on Political Violence and Terrorism) or Stephen Sloan of the University of South Florida (former director of the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism in Oklahoma City). PROPOSAL #3: DEVELOPING A COMMON NARRATIVE ¶6. (C) Background: In recent Bilateral Consultative Group meetings, we discussed with Canada the possibility of developing a "joint narrative" on terrorism that would help both sides in their efforts to message both what our societies are and why they are worth defending as well as who our common enemies are and why they should be isolated. We are still concerned that the terrorists in some cases are controlling the dialogue and that we are not yet proactively projecting our message. There are also times when our enemies -- and, at times, even our well meaning friends -- work to divide the U.S. and Canada on key issues, or to make our differences appear greater than they are. ¶7. (C) Proposal: We propose bringing 8-10 experts on terrorism messaging and narrative from the U.S. and Europe to meet with counterparts in Canada to discuss and then develop a common narrative. While nothing in this arena is definitive, this product would be extremely useful for developing a conceptual bond in counterterrorism that does not now exist, and from this there would be greater facility for many of the practical aspects of counterterrorism cooperation. A well developed product could also be useful for broader audiences in the U.S. Total cost of the proposal for travel and per diem for three days for 8 experts would be approximately US$16,000. Embassy Ottawa would host the meeting in its conference room. PROPOSAL #4: COUNTER-RADICALIZATION DVD - KALEIDOSCOPE GIRL ¶8. (C) Background: The Association of Progressive Muslims in Canada produced an educational film several years ago entitled "No Distance Between Us" that dealt with the issues of racism and the backlash from 9/11. It was used as part of the curriculum by the Durham District School Board and as an educational tool by several police services in Canada and Australia, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in sensitivity training for its officers. The film was highly acclaimed and was distributed to libraries and community groups, organizations, and individuals throughout Canada as well as the United States. It is a helpful tool in counter-radicalization. ¶9. (C) Proposal: A new film "Kaleidoscope Girl" -- would be a 30 minute film that revolves around a 7-year old girl, Ayesha Khan, who was born on September 11, 2001 and is trying to understand what happened to the world the day she was born. Ayesha's exploration into the "9/11 problem" exposes her for the first time to the complex issues of religious moderation versus extremism, personal liberty versus national security, and tolerance versus racial and cultural bias. Her interactions with family, friends, and others compel her to try to "fix" the 9/11 problem. Her favorite toy, a kaleidoscope, is used as a leitmotif because to her "all those pretty pieces of colored glass that dance around together are like people." By viewing the complex issues Qtogether are like people." By viewing the complex issues that revolve around our post-9/11 world through the eyes of a child, the viewer will realize that all the rigid ideologies that divide and distance people can only be bridged by individual decisions for peace, tolerance, and understanding. The film would be produced for approximately US$30,000 provided as a grant to the Association of Progressive Muslims in Canada. PROPOSAL #5: INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE ON STRENGTHENING CANADIAN IDENTITY IN A SAFE, SECURE CANADA ¶10. (C) Background: The Circle of Canadians is a non-profit organization established in 2002 to promote cross-cultural dialogue and to seek solutions to the problems of violence and radicalization in Canada. It facilitated a session exploring the implications of the 7/7 attacks in England, sponsored a session for youth on "fighting extremism in Islam," and is seeking to convene a conference on Jewish-Muslim Dialogue for the Next Generation. The Circle is one of several organizations that works on the issue of cross-cultural dialogue in the post-9/11 world, but is somewhat more focused on the issue of national security than others. OTTAWA 00000595 003.2 OF 003 ¶11. (C) Proposal: The Circle would like to conduct a small colloquium, followed by a larger forum to explore the issue of Canadian identity and its interrelationship with public safety and national security. The goals of the forum would be to: -- help explore and articulate what Canadian identity implies for all cultural/ethnic/religious groups; -- empower Canadian youth better to understand the shared vision of Canada as a safe and inclusive society; and, -- help provide youth with cultural and educational tools to help avoid radicalization of all types. The project would enable the two-way transfer of knowledge about Canadian identity and its relationship to public safety and security and linkages to existing public/private programs and efforts. It will also help to build consensus on progress and challenges in the context of rule of law, Canadian values, and diversity, while ensuring a safe and secure society for future generations. The total cost of the project is approximately US$44,000. Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada WILKINS