NEWS RELEASES
CANADA REGRETS U.S. POSTPONEMENT OF SALMON TALKS
May 27, 1997 No. 99
CANADA REGRETS U.S. POSTPONEMENT
OF SALMON TALKS
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today expressed regret that the United
States has postponed negotiations, scheduled for May 30, on the Pacific salmon
dispute.
"The Government regrets the U.S. decision," said Mr. Axworthy. "Canada is acting
within its rights under international law and practice in requiring foreign
fishing vessels to contact Canadian authorities as they pass through Canadian
waters. The United States applies similar regulations."
"We are ready to re-engage in negotiations," he added. "I will be contacting U.S.
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright as soon as possible to discuss this
situation."
Canada suspended talks on May 21 when the U.S. negotiator was unable to advance a
position on one of the key southern issues, Fraser River sockeye.
Mr. Axworthy and Ms. Albright agreed May 23 that talks would resume May 30 and
that there would be no preconditions. The United States agreed that its chief
negotiator would come back with a mandate to negotiate after discussions this week
with stakeholders in the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
Four U.S. fishing vessels were charged with violating Canadian regulations in the
last three days. The captains of three vessels were fined in a British Columbia
court Tuesday and their vessels released.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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