Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09OTTAWA35
2009-01-14 21:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:
CANADA RATIFIES NATO ACCESSION PROTOCOLS FOR ALBANIA AND
how-toVZCZCXRO7078 OO RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHIK RUEHMT RUEHPOD RUEHQU RUEHVC RUEHYG DE RUEHOT #0035 0142146 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 142146Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8991 INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS OTTAWA 000035
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR KTIA PARM HR AL CA
SUBJECT: CANADA RATIFIES NATO ACCESSION PROTOCOLS FOR ALBANIA AND
CROATIA
UNCLAS OTTAWA 000035
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR KTIA PARM HR AL CA
SUBJECT: CANADA RATIFIES NATO ACCESSION PROTOCOLS FOR ALBANIA AND
CROATIA
1. (U) Summary: On January 14, Canada announced its ratification of
the protocols of accession to NATO for Albania and Croatia. Foreign
Minister Lawrence Cannon and Defence Minister Peter MacKay jointly
noted that Canada's action would help move the two countries closer
to membership in the alliance. End summary
2. (U) Canada has been a strong supporter of the NATO membership
goals of the two countries. FM Cannon described Canada's
ratification of the protocols as "the firmest expression of this
support," which "sends a clear message that will inspire other NATO
aspirant countries to continue on the path of integration and
reform."
3. (U) Both ministers also expressed Canada's support for NATO's
Open Door Policy. At the April 2008 Bucharest Summit committing
NATO leaders to completing the ratification process without delay,
then-FM David Emerson had described the accession of Albania and
Croatia as constituting a "key success." With these ratifications,
FM Cannon reiterated that the accession of the new members
"strengthens" Euro-Atlantic security and that a swift ratification
by member countries would enable Albania and Croatia to participate
as allies at the NATO Summit in Strasbourg-Kehl in April.
4. (SBU) Comment: In the apparent interest of swift ratification,
the government side-stepped its own year-old policy of submitting
such international agreements to the House of Commons for a
twenty-one sitting day period of review or comment (but not formal
ratification). Parliament will not reconvene until January 26. It
is unlikely that there would have been any serious objection within
the House of Commons to the ratification.
WILKINS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR KTIA PARM HR AL CA
SUBJECT: CANADA RATIFIES NATO ACCESSION PROTOCOLS FOR ALBANIA AND
CROATIA
1. (U) Summary: On January 14, Canada announced its ratification of
the protocols of accession to NATO for Albania and Croatia. Foreign
Minister Lawrence Cannon and Defence Minister Peter MacKay jointly
noted that Canada's action would help move the two countries closer
to membership in the alliance. End summary
2. (U) Canada has been a strong supporter of the NATO membership
goals of the two countries. FM Cannon described Canada's
ratification of the protocols as "the firmest expression of this
support," which "sends a clear message that will inspire other NATO
aspirant countries to continue on the path of integration and
reform."
3. (U) Both ministers also expressed Canada's support for NATO's
Open Door Policy. At the April 2008 Bucharest Summit committing
NATO leaders to completing the ratification process without delay,
then-FM David Emerson had described the accession of Albania and
Croatia as constituting a "key success." With these ratifications,
FM Cannon reiterated that the accession of the new members
"strengthens" Euro-Atlantic security and that a swift ratification
by member countries would enable Albania and Croatia to participate
as allies at the NATO Summit in Strasbourg-Kehl in April.
4. (SBU) Comment: In the apparent interest of swift ratification,
the government side-stepped its own year-old policy of submitting
such international agreements to the House of Commons for a
twenty-one sitting day period of review or comment (but not formal
ratification). Parliament will not reconvene until January 26. It
is unlikely that there would have been any serious objection within
the House of Commons to the ratification.
WILKINS