CANADA SUPPORTS GAZA ACTION PROGRAM

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