Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09OTTAWA180
2009-03-09 18:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:
CANADA SUPPORTS GAZA ACTION PROGRAM
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C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000180
SIPDIS
NEA/RA FOR M. ADLER AND A. VACARRO, T FOR C. NICOLAIDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2019
TAGS: PREL MOPS NATO EUN CA
SUBJECT: CANADA SUPPORTS GAZA ACTION PROGRAM
REF: A. STATE 20406
B. OTTAWA 132
C. OTTAWA 134
Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000180
SIPDIS
NEA/RA FOR M. ADLER AND A. VACARRO, T FOR C. NICOLAIDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2019
TAGS: PREL MOPS NATO EUN CA
SUBJECT: CANADA SUPPORTS GAZA ACTION PROGRAM
REF: A. STATE 20406
B. OTTAWA 132
C. OTTAWA 134
Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Canada supports the program of action (ref a) to
combat Gaza arms smuggling and is identifying resources and
confirming legal authority to assist the effort, according to
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)
Israel/Gaza/West Bank Deputy Director Gregory Lemermeyer.
Lemermeyer told poloff on March 9 that Canada finds the ideas
in the current draft of the action program "worthwhile." He
said that the smuggling situation is something that the
international community "clearly needs to address."
Lemermeyer confirmed that DFAIT was still addressing two
issues: coordinating with the Department of National Defence
(DND) colleagues, who must provide their assets if Canada
were to assist with interdiction; and, seeking opinions from
legal advisors to assure that Canadian participation is
consistent with its international legal obligations.
Lemermeyer noted that both aspects are still "very much up in
the air," with DFAIT and DND lawyers still studying the legal
basis for Canadian participation. He added that DFAIT senior
officials are also still consulting their DND counterparts to
identify potential assets to contribute. DFAIT senior
officials strongly favor continued diplomatic support to the
effort, even if DND is unable to offer people or resources,
Lemermeyer underscored.
2. (C) Lemermeyer noted our request that Canada engage other
countries to elicit their support for the public issuance of
the draft text. He promised to raise this request with
International Security Director General Don Sinclair, who
will represent Canada at the London meeting. He reiterated
Canada's desire to provide diplomatic and legal support for
the program "once the lawyers provide precise legal basis for
involvement." Lemermeyer said that he and two DFAIT legal
experts will accompany DG Sinclair to London for the March 13
meeting. He offered to meet on the margins of the meeting
with U.S. delegates to discuss Canadian support for the
action program.
3. (C) Lemermeyer explained that Canada's inability to make a
new aid pledge (ref b) at the March 2 donors' conference at
Sharm al-Shaik did not indicate a lack of interest by Canada
in supporting Middle East peace. He noted that in December
2007 Canada had made a five-year C$300 million pledge to
support the Palestinian Authority and its reform and
peacemaking efforts, which he called a "large chunk of funds
in the Canadian context." He added that Canada had also
pledged an additional C$ 4 million in January to meet
pressing humanitarian needs in Gaza In a recent speech (ref
b),Minister of International Cooperation Bev Oda reinforced
Canada's commitment to aid in Gaza as one of the 20 priority
areas for Canadian development assistance.
Visit Canada,s North American partnership community at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap /
BREESE
SIPDIS
NEA/RA FOR M. ADLER AND A. VACARRO, T FOR C. NICOLAIDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2019
TAGS: PREL MOPS NATO EUN CA
SUBJECT: CANADA SUPPORTS GAZA ACTION PROGRAM
REF: A. STATE 20406
B. OTTAWA 132
C. OTTAWA 134
Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Canada supports the program of action (ref a) to
combat Gaza arms smuggling and is identifying resources and
confirming legal authority to assist the effort, according to
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)
Israel/Gaza/West Bank Deputy Director Gregory Lemermeyer.
Lemermeyer told poloff on March 9 that Canada finds the ideas
in the current draft of the action program "worthwhile." He
said that the smuggling situation is something that the
international community "clearly needs to address."
Lemermeyer confirmed that DFAIT was still addressing two
issues: coordinating with the Department of National Defence
(DND) colleagues, who must provide their assets if Canada
were to assist with interdiction; and, seeking opinions from
legal advisors to assure that Canadian participation is
consistent with its international legal obligations.
Lemermeyer noted that both aspects are still "very much up in
the air," with DFAIT and DND lawyers still studying the legal
basis for Canadian participation. He added that DFAIT senior
officials are also still consulting their DND counterparts to
identify potential assets to contribute. DFAIT senior
officials strongly favor continued diplomatic support to the
effort, even if DND is unable to offer people or resources,
Lemermeyer underscored.
2. (C) Lemermeyer noted our request that Canada engage other
countries to elicit their support for the public issuance of
the draft text. He promised to raise this request with
International Security Director General Don Sinclair, who
will represent Canada at the London meeting. He reiterated
Canada's desire to provide diplomatic and legal support for
the program "once the lawyers provide precise legal basis for
involvement." Lemermeyer said that he and two DFAIT legal
experts will accompany DG Sinclair to London for the March 13
meeting. He offered to meet on the margins of the meeting
with U.S. delegates to discuss Canadian support for the
action program.
3. (C) Lemermeyer explained that Canada's inability to make a
new aid pledge (ref b) at the March 2 donors' conference at
Sharm al-Shaik did not indicate a lack of interest by Canada
in supporting Middle East peace. He noted that in December
2007 Canada had made a five-year C$300 million pledge to
support the Palestinian Authority and its reform and
peacemaking efforts, which he called a "large chunk of funds
in the Canadian context." He added that Canada had also
pledged an additional C$ 4 million in January to meet
pressing humanitarian needs in Gaza In a recent speech (ref
b),Minister of International Cooperation Bev Oda reinforced
Canada's commitment to aid in Gaza as one of the 20 priority
areas for Canadian development assistance.
Visit Canada,s North American partnership community at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap /
BREESE