This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
022056Z Sep 05
UNCLAS OTTAWA 002649
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR WHA/CAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECIN PREL CA UNGA
SUBJECT: CANADA'S VIEWS ON DEVELOPMENT ISSUES IN TEH UN
HIGH LEVEL GENERAL ASSEMBLY
REF: STATE 160880
1. (SBU) Summary: The GOC shares our views on the problems
of length, coherence, and balance in the draft "outcome"
document, as well as our commitment to reform and opposition
to creative financing measures for ODA. We differ on the
goal of 0.7% of GDP, with Canada still thinking it is an
important goal, albeit one they have not set a time-frame for
meeting. The GOC also think references to Kyoto and Beijing
are important. While expressing the hope that we can find
language that reflects both our views, Greenhill said it is
extremely important not to undermine and destabilize
institutions in the process of reforming them. End Summary.
2. (SBU) Ambassador Wilkins met September 2 with Robert
Greenhill, President of the Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA), to stress the importance we place
on the views expressed reftel and to solicit Canada's
perspective. Greenhill was accompanied by Bruce Montador,
Vice President for Multilateral Affairs and Stephen Wallace,
Vice President for Policy. We also provided the points to
Michael Small, acting Assistant Deputy Minister for Global
Affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs and to contacts
at the Department of Finance.
3. (SBU) Greenhill, after conveying condolences for the
damage caused by hurricane Katrina and reiterating the GOC's
desire to provide assistance, said the the U.S. and GOC are
reading from much the same page with regard to the outcome
document, although there are some differences. We share a
desire for meaningful reform and want the document to reflect
the reality of what we want to build together. The Paris
Declaration and work in the DAC and OECD is real. Both the
U.S. and Canada commit only to what we can deliver on, and
then deliver on our commitments. Canada agrees with our
points on length, lack of coherence, and lack of balance in
the current draft.
4. (SBU) On the substance of the draft text, Canada shares
our views on front-loading assistance and the IFF. Regarding
the airline tax, the text would be "improved by having it
left out." It is also important to stress levers of
devlopment beyond ODA.
5. (SBU) The U.S. and Canada have taken different positions
regarding the goal of committing 0.7% of GDP to assistance.
Although the GOC has not specified a time frame, they still
think it is an important goal but recognize that our position
is not going to change. The GOC also thinks that references
to Kyoto and to Beijing and the rights of women are
important, that we are looking for reform within the active
engagement of global agreement. Canada considers the
Millenium Development Goals to be a useful and meaningful
measure (Greenhill) used the poster on his wall to review
them with the Ambassadord). They are not the only focal
point, but are critical and the specific targets for 2015 are
good.
6. (SBU) Greenhill concluded by saying that, other than our
views on the 0.7% target, they hope we can find language that
reflects both our views. Reform is important, but it is
extremely important not to undermine and destabilize the
institutions. Wallace noted that there is a lot of hard work
ahead, and not much time, but we need to agree on the whole
before tackling specific parts.
7. (SBU) The Ambassador thanked Greenhill for his frank
analysis, and reiterated the importance we place on
successful negotiation of the development outcome document.
Greenhill, after reviewing CIDA's overall priorities in the
coming months, said he would like to spend some time with the
Ambassador to discuss our mutual interests in Haiti, which he
described as at a tipping point. We both want to avoid a
chaotic Chavez and Cuba-linked Haiti near Florida and
Greenhill would appreciate exchanging views on what we should
both be doing. Note: Haiti's Ambassador to Ottawa was
leaving Greenhill's office as we entered. End Note.
Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa
WILKINS