NEWS RELEASES
CANADA AND THE U.S. TO RESUME SALMON NEGOTIATIONS
June 13, 1997 No. 102
CANADA AND THE U.S. TO RESUME SALMON NEGOTIATIONS
Canada and the United States have agreed that negotiations on the Pacific salmon
dispute will resume on June 18, Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and
Fisheries and Oceans Minister David Anderson announced today.
"We are pleased that, following consultations among U.S. stakeholders, the U.S. is
returning to the talks with a clear mandate to reach a settlement," said Mr.
Axworthy. "I am hopeful that agreement on outstanding issues can be reached very
quickly."
"We are determined to find a resolution that respects the conservation and equity
principles of the Pacific Salmon Treaty," said Mr. Anderson. "We need to resolve
this dispute to ensure conservation of this precious resource for both parties."
Canada and the U.S. have been trying since 1992 to reach long-term fishing
arrangements and to agree on how to implement fully the principles of the Pacific
Salmon Treaty. The two nations have used negotiations and mediation in an effort
to reach agreement. Over the last three months, stakeholder negotiations led to
government-to-government negotiations.
On May 21, talks between Canadian negotiator Yves Fortier and his American
counterpart, Mary Beth West, were suspended when the U.S. was unable to advance a
position on one of the key southern issues, Fraser River sockeye.
-30-
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
Brian Bohunicky
Office of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
(613) 992-3474
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
| 
