US embassy cable - 04OTTAWA3336

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 003336 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2014 
TAGS: MARR, PREL, CA, Missile Defense 
SUBJECT: RAYTHEON BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON MISSILE DEFENSE 
CONSULTATIONS WITH CANADIANS 
 
Classified By: POL M/C BRIAN FLORA.  REASON 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C/NF) SUMMARY: In a December 8 office call, Raytheon 
representatives (U.S. and Canadian) briefed the Ambassador 
and mission officers on recent meetings with Canadian 
Ambassador Kergin in Washington and senators on Parliament 
Hill. Raytheon assesses that the Canadian government "may be 
interested" in finding a way to host the X-Band Radar (MLX) 
on Canadian soil.  It is proposing a joint Canadian/USG and 
industry study to examine elements of a Canadian contribution 
to missile defense.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (C/NF) US VP for Ballistic Missile Defense Systems (BMDS) 
Peter Franklin said that Raytheon's meeting with Ambassador 
Kergin and Canadian defense attache RADM Mack went very well; 
both officials were receptive to what Raytheon had to say. 
At the Canadian Embassy's request, the Missile Defense Agency 
(MDA) was scheduled to provide a classified briefing next 
week regarding the potential benefit (to the MD system) of a 
radar based in eastern Canada. 
 
3. (C/NF) Franklin characterized the luncheon with fourteen 
senators as particularly useful and generally positive. 
Business Development Manager Dennis McKay commented that the 
senators' principal concerns were consistent with those 
articulated by other Canadians both publicly and privately: 
i.e., a) what happens to NORAD cooperation if Canada doesn't 
participate in MD; b) the effect/impact of debris from a 
missile intercept on the environment and humans; and c) the 
financial implications for Canada of participation in missile 
defense.  Franklin noted that Raytheon was proposing a joint 
government and industry dialogue that would address the 
senators' concerns and also inform Canadians of the range of 
options for and benefits of MD particpation. 
 
3. (C/NF) Ambassador Cellucci welcomed Raytheon's read-out 
and thanked them for their initiative with Canadian 
officials.  He noted that Defense Minister Graham and Senator 
Colin Kenny had spoken out in favor of missile defense, and 
many other government interlocutors agreed that it made sense 
for Canada.  The problem was political, the Ambassador 
continued, compounded by a lack of leadership in the 
governing party and the Opposition.  The Prime Minister was 
psychologically hamstrung by his party's "minority" status in 
the Parliament, and the Conservatives had decided to play 
politics with national security.  Without an assurance of 
Conservative support, the governing Liberals did not dare 
move forward on missile defense.  Asked what Raytheon could 
do to try and turn things around, the Ambassador urged 
Raytheon representatives to talk to Conservative Opposition 
Leader Stephen Harper. "Tell him I sent you," he quipped, 
adding that he himself would continue to work on persuading 
Mr. Harper to change tack for the good of the country. 
 
4. (C/NF) In a separate meeting, a Canadian Raytheon 
representative (protect) told polmiloff that Defense Minister 
Graham's staff, at the Minister's behest, were brainstorming 
proposals to try and advance Canadian participation in 
missile defense.  One of Graham's executive assistants wanted 
to know informally (without directly approaching the Embassy) 
if the USG would be receptive to Canada hosting the X-Band 
Radar "as part of NORAD" rather than as explicit 
participation in missile defense.  Polmiloff responded that 
it might be useful to explore this line of thought with the 
parties involved and invited the Minister's staff to contact 
Mission staff. 
 
Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa 
 
CELLUCCI