US embassy cable - 05OTTAWA2618

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 002618 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2010 
TAGS: IZ, PGOV, PREL, CA 
SUBJECT: IRAQ: PRESENTATION OF A DRAFT CONSTITUTION 
 
REF: SECSTATE 158420 
 
Classified By: Acting POLCOUNS Patty Kim Scott, reasons 1.4 (b) (d) 
 
1. (C/NF) FAC Middle East Division Deputy Director told 
Poloff August 30 that the GOC prepared a statement on the 
Iraqi constitution last week but pulled it back when it 
became clear that the document was not a finished product and 
could still change.  He said Canada would wait until there 
was a fully accepted draft and then offer a statement of 
support.  Ambassador delivered reftel demarche points on the 
constitution to Tim Murphy, PM Martin's Chief of Staff, and 
DCM delivered them to PM's Senior Policy Advisor Jonathan 
Fried on August 31, urging the GOC to consider issuing a 
statement this week to praise the progress accomplished to 
date in Iraq.  They suggested to the GOC that the 
constitution would be a work in progress for some time, but 
the Iraqis need international encouragement and support along 
the way. 
 
2. (U)  On August 31 FM Pettigrew issued the following 
statement: 
 
Begin Quote 
 
Canada welcomes the considerable progress made in drafting 
the Iraqi constitution.  We encourage the negotiating parties 
to remain constructively engaged in the pursuit of an 
inclusive constitution that will lead to a stable and 
democratic Iraq. 
 
Canada will continue to work with the Iraqi authorities for 
the reconstruction and democratic transition of Iraq, as well 
as the implementation of an Iraqi constitution consistent 
with international standards of human rights, including 
women's rights, gender equality and minority rights. 
 
We believe that in order to provide a solid basis for 
national reconciliation, the constitution must satisfy the 
aspiration of all Iraqis.  The task now lies with the people 
of Iraq to exercise their democratic right to vote on the 
constitution.  We encourage all Iraqis to participate in the 
referendum scheduled for October 15, 2005. 
 
End Quote 
 
3. (U) Also on August 31 Canada issued the following 
statement on the tragedy in Baghdad: 
 
Begin Quote 
 
Canadians are profoundly moved by the scale of the human 
tragedy that occurred Wednesday in northern Baghdad, and I 
join them in offering condolences to the families of the 
hundreds of innocent victims who died while gathering for a 
religious ceremony. 
 
It seems that some of the events that contributed to this 
horrific tragedy were initiated by individuals without any 
respect for human life and with the sole objective of 
dragging Iraq into a civil war. 
 
Canada will continue to support the Iraqi authorities in 
their struggle to put an end to violence and to keep Iraq on 
the path to democracy and stability.  The international 
community must remain united in its efforts to assist Iraqis 
determined to turn the page on a past marked by violence and 
to build a country that will ensure peace and prosperity for 
future generations. 
 
End Quote 
 
Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa 
 
WILKINS