Cablegate: Canada "Heading in the Right Direction" On Joining

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UNCLAS OTTAWA 002766

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR OES/ETC AND WHA/CAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV UNGA CA
SUBJECT: CANADA "HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION" ON JOINING
CAWT

REF: STATE 148162

1. On September 11 the Ambassador discussed the Secretary's
invitation to participate in her press event on the Coalition
Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT) with Foreign Minister
Peter MacKay, urging that Canada join CAWT and pressing
MacKay to attend the September 22 event in New York.
Although MacKay was non-committal as to Canada joining CAWT,
noting this was a cabinet decision that fell primarily under
the jurisdiction of Environment Minister Rona Ambrose, he did
tell the Ambassador he believed things were "heading in the
right direction."

2. EST Counselor also discussed the invitation and Canada's
interest in CAWT with contacts in Environment Canada (EC) and
Foreign Affairs Canada (DFAIT). Foreign Affairs contacts
acknowledged that Canada was taking a long time in deciding
on joining CAWT and admitted that the Secretary's invitation
might help concerned ministries reach that decision more
expeditiously. Environment Canada contacts told Embassy that
Ambrose has said "Canada would like to find a way to join
CAWT," and that she hopes to be involved in a public
announcement of Canada,s partnership in CAWT.

3. Embassy will continue to monitor developments at both EC
and DFAIT, urging that Canada decide affirmatively and that
Foreign Minister MacKay attend the Secretary's CAWT press
event in New York on September 22.

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

WILKINS

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