CANADIAN AND U.S. ANTI-PIRACY PRESCRIPTIONS ALIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000443 SIPDIS STATE FOR PM/PPA - D FORAN AND IO/UNP - J. FITZGERALD E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2019 TAGS: PREL EWWT KCRM PTER MARR CA SUBJECT: CANADIAN AND U.S. ANTI-PIRACY PRESCRIPTIONS ALIGN REF: A. STATE 58579 ¶B. OTTAWA 269 Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) Policy Advisor for Defence and Security Sarah Robertson confirmed to polmiloff on June 9 that Canadian and U.S. policy prescriptions on the best way to prosecute suspected pirates off the Horn of Africa (ref a),and elsewhere, are "in alignment." She agreed that "bolstering regional courts is the way to go." Robertson specified that Canada also shares ref a concerns regarding the proposal to create an international tribunal to prosecute pirates, and agrees that a better way forward would be to help affected states, and national governments in regions where the acts of piracy occur, to improve their relevant judicial and corrections capabilities. ¶2. (C) Robertson underscored that CANADA remained the only G-8 country not a member of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS). While CANADA had welcomed the opportunity to attend the Contact Group's May 29 Plenary in New York at the USG's invitation, Canadian officials at the meeting were frustrated not to be in a position to express their views formally. She reiterated Canada's earlier request to gain membership in the CGPCS at the earliest opportunity (ref b),and commented that membership is "a big deal" for Canadian senior officials and ministers at G-8 meetings, when they find themselves the "odd man out" when discussing CGPCS-related issues. Visit Canada,s North American partnership community at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / BREESE