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NEWS RELEASES

May 9, 1997 No. 85

CANADA-U.S. GOVERNMENT NEGOTIATIONS

WILL FOLLOW STAKEHOLDER SALMON TALKS

The Government of Canada today announced that Canada and the United States have agreed to launch immediate government-to-government negotiations on the Pacific salmon dispute after talks between U.S. and Canadian stakeholder groups were inconclusive.

"The Canadian and U.S. stakeholder groups worked very hard and deserve our sincere thanks for their efforts," Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy said. "It is disappointing that they failed to agree on all issues. We want to settle this dispute quickly by building on the work of the stakeholders to date. The Canadian and American chief negotiators on Pacific salmon will begin negotiations on an urgent basis."

"This problem must be solved -- it's a major concern to Canada and our fishers," Fisheries and Oceans Minister Fred Mifflin said. "We will be redoubling our efforts to conclude arrangements that meet Canadian objectives for conservation and equitable sharing -- the principles on which the Pacific Salmon Treaty is founded and the keys to its effective implementation for the long term."

"The salmon fishery is vital to the British Columbia economy," said Transport Minister David Anderson, senior federal minister from British Columbia. "Resolving this dispute is one of our highest priorities."

The stakeholders identified areas where further negotiations are possible. Their reports will be finalized next week. The chief negotiators on Pacific salmon, Yves Fortier for Canada and Mary Beth West for the United States, accompanied by the chairs of the stakeholder groups and senior officials, are to meet May 19-20. A representative of the Province of British Columbia will be invited to participate.

Two groups of Canadian and U.S. stakeholders, representing northern and southern fishing interests, have negotiated since February 1997 on long-term fishing arrangements for several key salmon fisheries. Their objective was to develop fishing arrangements consistent with the Pacific Salmon Treaty principles obliging Canada and the United States to conserve salmon and allocate fish stocks fairly.

During his April 8 meeting with President Clinton in Washington, D.C., Prime Minister Chrétien emphasized the urgency of resolving the Pacific salmon dispute and the significance of salmon not only to British Columbia but for all Canadians. Mr. Axworthy this week underlined to Secretary of State Albright the need for U.S. attention at the highest levels to resolve Canada-U.S. differences on salmon.

The Government of Canada will also vigorously pursue separate negotiations with the United States to reach agreement on fishing arrangements for the 1997 fishing season.

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