VZCZCXRO9915
PP RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHMT RUEHQU RUEHVC
DE RUEHOT #1523 3402105
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 052105Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8819
INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 2279
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 2241
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 1541
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 3400
UNCLAS OTTAWA 001523
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OPDC KN CA
SUBJECT: SECRETARY RICE-FOREIGN MINISTER CANNON LETTER
DELIVERED
REF: STATE 127557
1. (SBU) Post delivered text of reftel letter to the office
of Foreign Minister Cannon on December 5.
2. (SBU) Charge followed up with a phone call the same day to
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)
Assistant Deputy Minister for Asia and Africa Ken Sundquist
(U/S equivalent) to reinforce the Secretary's request for
Canadian contributions to purchase heavy fuel oil (HFO).
Acting Political Counselor called on North Asia Director
General Phil Calvert, as well. Both Sundquist and Calvert
are on official travel in Vancouver until December 8,
according to North Asia Deputy Director Karen Foss. She also
told Acting Political Counselor that Canadian embassy
officials in Washington had briefed she and Calvert on their
recent discussions with Department officials on the need for
additional HFO contributions. Foss said Sundquist, Calvert,
and Assistant Deputy Minister for International Security
Colleen Swords, who is also away on official travel, will
study the Secretary's letter and confer among themselves to
prepare a recommendation for Minister Cannon. Foss suggested
that phone calls from the Charge to both Assistant Deputy
Ministers would be "important" to securing an expeditious
response from Canada. The Charge and Political Counselor
will continue to press for a Canadian contribution when the
Assistant Deputy Minister and Director General return to
Ottawa next week.
Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada
BREESE