Cablegate: Renewal of Isaf Mandate: Canada On Same Page But

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

161351Z Aug 05

UNCLAS OTTAWA 002462

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL CA NATO UNSC
SUBJECT: RENEWAL OF ISAF MANDATE: CANADA ON SAME PAGE BUT
NEEDS TO STUDY

REF: STATE 146276

1. (C) Polmiloff met with Director of North American and
Euro-Atlantic Security and Defence Relations Division (IDR)
Director Barbara Martin and staff on August 11 to discuss
renewal of ISAF,s mandate. Though Canada has not started to
examine the matter in detail (NOTE: summer cottage season is
in full swing and Assistant Deputy Jim Wright is on leave
until 01 September. END NOTE), Martin welcomed USG's
initiative to consult as a timely "heads-up" for the GOC to
begin internal deliberations. She reaffirmed Canada's
support for integration of CFC-A and ISAF and volunteered
that in general discussions this summer, she and UK
counterparts found that the UK and Canada share the concerns
articulated in reftel message. Martin mused that it might be
useful to hold preliminary consultations among like-minded
Allies.

2. (C) Martin said her British interlocutors were concerned
not to provide a forum in which opponents of integration
could advance their agenda. Canada and the UK had discussed
how to minimize or circumvent opportunities to undermine
integration in the ISAF renewal process. One approach, she
offered, might be to encourage President Karzai to write a
letter to UNSYG Annan requesting renewal ofthe ISAF mandate.
Post will monitor the progress of Canada's internal
deliberations and report back as appropriate.

Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa

WILKINS

© Scoop Media