US embassy cable - 05OTTAWA2020

S E C R E T OTTAWA 002020 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/04/2015 
TAGS: CA, HA, IR, PGOV, SENV, SOCI, PTER, Paul Martin, Devils Lake 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH PM MARTIN 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador David H. Wilkins, reasons 1.4 (b) (d) 
 
 1. (U) Ambassador Wilkins paid an introductory call on PM 
Martin June 30 in the Prime Minister's Office at Parliament. 
The tone of the meeting was friendly and allowed time for a 
cordial exchange on family and political careers, of note 
sharing experiences operating in a political minority 
situation. 
 
2. The following issues of policy substance were discussed: 
 
-- (C) Devils Lake:  The first issue the PM raised, and in 
the strongest terms, mirrored many of our discussions on 
Devils Lake over the past two years, as he repeated 
inaccuracies and half-truths.  The PM said that this would be 
the first time that an IJC reference has been refused, and 
stated as fact the contention that the completion of the 
project would allow invasive species into the watershed.  The 
Ambassador politely corrected him on the IJC reference and 
said that the White House, through the CEQ, was fully engaged 
and seeking to satisfy Canada's concerns on the project.  The 
Prime Minister said the bottom line was that Canada sought an 
IJC reference, to which the Ambassador responded that perhaps 
a solution should be the most important thing.  The PM 
agreed, reluctantly. 
 
-- (C) BSE/Softwood: The PM lumped our two biggest trade 
disputes together.  He said he believes President Bush has a 
correct understanding of the competition emanating from China 
and India, which necessitates a full integration of the North 
American market in response.  He believes the Administration 
understands the changing global economy, and genuinely wants 
to resolve these disputes.  In the absence of a solution, 
however, the PM said Canada is simply developing its own 
competitive edge in these industries, backing away from the 
integrated North American market which it cannot trust.  The 
U.S., he suggested, will lose out in the end. 
 
-- (SBU) SPP/Avian Flu: The Ambassador expressed appreciation 
for the PM's attendance at the recent luncheon for 
Secretaries Chertoff and Gutierrez, and the personal 
 
SIPDIS 
attention the PM has paid to progress on the SPP.  In this 
context, Martin raised Avian Flu.  The PM mentioned that he 
discussed Avian Flu in a conversation with Secretary Chertoff 
on June 27 at the SPP meeting.  Canadian officials have a 
real concern that this disease could develop into a pandemic 
in the next year, they will push for a sidebar meeting at the 
UNGA in the fall with 15-20 countries to discuss it.  Foreign 
Policy Advisor Jonathan Fried said that Canada would also be 
very supportive of an important meeting in July in the U.S. 
to seek new approaches to pandemic.  The PM mentioned the new 
Canadian public health center completed in Winnipeg and 
modeled after the US Centers for Disease Control as being 
helpful in the fight to stop such diseases. 
 
-- (C) Hemispheric Engagement: The PM told the Ambassador 
that he believes Canada can be more helpful on Latin America, 
especially where there may be reluctance to accept wholesale 
U.S. influence.  He mentioned Venezuela as an example where 
Canadian engagement might be positive.  On Haiti, the PM also 
said he thought Canada could be helpful.  He said he 
understands the U.S. position is against sending more troops 
and that Canada shares this position.  But he also says that 
given the deteriorating situation there, our shared position 
is becoming unsustainable. 
 
-- (S) Iranian Ambassador: In private the Ambassador thanked 
the PM for Canada's rejection of hostage-taker Ahmad Azizi as 
Iran's Ambassador. 
 
3. (C) On his approach to U.S.-Canadian relations, the PM 
discussed Canada's conflicting views towards the U.S., noting 
that the Ambassador "will find that we want to be close to 
the U.S., we just can't say it publicly." 
 
Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa 
 
WILKINS