CANADA PLANNING JUNE 23 REPATRIATION FOR ABDELRAZIK

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 OTTAWA 000478

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAN AND S/CT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2019
TAGS: PTER PREL SU CA
SUBJECT: CANADA PLANNING JUNE 23 REPATRIATION FOR ABDELRAZIK

REF: A. OTTAWA 469

B. OTTAWA 423

C. OTTAWA 313

D. 08 STATE 49579

E. 08 OTTAWA 0616

OTTAWA 00000478 001.4 OF 002


Classified By: CDA Terry Breese, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) This is an action request -- see para 6.


2. (S) Canada will not appeal the June 4 federal court
ruling that the government must repatriate Abousfian
Abdelrazik from Sudan and present him for a July 7 hearing in
Montreal (Ref B),according to Department of Foreign Affairs
and International Trade (DFAIT) Acting Director of
International Crime and Counterterrorism Chantal Meagher.
She told acting Pol/C on June 17 that DFAIT plans to bring
Abdelrazik back to Canada on June 23 using an Emirates Air
flight. During a previously scheduled meeting on June 17,
Canadian National Security Advisor Marie-Lucie Morin informed
Charge Breese that Canada picked Emirates because it has a
northerly route that will minimize the chance of Abdelrazik's
plane straying into U.S. airspace due to emergent
circumstances (i.e. weather or mechanical malfunction).


3. (S) Meagher added that DFAIT Counterterrorism Senior
Coordinator Mark Gwozdecky had attempted to inform S/CT
Ambassador Benjamin on June 17 of these developments via
telephone. Due to Amb. Benjamin's unavailability she said
the Canadian embassy left a letter from Gwozdecky outlining
Canada's decision. After informing U.S. officials, Meagher
noted that Canadian diplomats in New York were to inform the
UN's 1267 Committee on June 17 of Canada's decision to
repatriate Abdelrazik.


4. (S) Meagher underscored that a DFAIT consular official and
Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer will accompany
Abdelrazik during his entire journey. She also promised that
DFAIT will inform the U.S. -- most likely through the
Canadian Embassy in Washington -- of Abdelrazik's specific
flight information prior to departure. She warned that DFAIT
is still not certain the Emirates flight plan will eventuate
since the airline might deny boarding as part of its
corporate risk management program. Meagher underlined a firm
Canadian preference for a commercial flight to repatriate
Abdelrazik, rather than milair.


5. (S) Meagher expressed Canada's intense interest in knowing
whether the U.S. would actively or passively obstruct
Abdelrazik's boarding in Sudan or in subsequent connecting
flights. She inquired also about likely U.S. responses if
Emirates Air officials query U.S. officials in Sudan or in
connecting hubs on the advisability of transporting
Abdelrazik. She asked whether the U.S. would be willing to
tell inquiring aviation authorities that "the U.S. was aware
of Canadian plans" to repatriate Abdelrazik. Acting Pol/C
replied that he had no instructions on this point but that we
had previously said (Ref D) "the U.S. Government is not in a
position to assist with his repatriation."


6. (S) Action Request: Post requests guidance in responding
to Canadian inquiries on Abdelrazik's repatriation. Post
proposes to restate Ref D guidance generally. In particular
we propose to underscore that:

-- the decision to repatriate Abdelrazik properly belongs
Q-- the decision to repatriate Abdelrazik properly belongs
solely to Canada as a sovereign nation;

-- the United States will not act to obstruct Abdelrazik's
repatriation but will equally not assist in any such
repatriation; and

-- the United States requests that upon his return to Canada
the Canadian government take appropriate measures to ensure
he will not endanger the United States and its people.

In regard to questions from airlines regarding Abdelrazik's
suitability for boarding, post proposes that USG
interlocutors simply state that Abdelrazik's name appears on
U.S. "no-fly" lists due to his designation by the UN 1267
committee and offer no further comment.

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