MEDIA ADVISORIES

Media representatives are advised that International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew will visit Washington, D.C., on Monday, September 10. This is in keeping with Canada's multi-pronged strategy for managing the softwood lumber issue.

Over the course of the day, Minister Pettigrew will meet separately with Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Zoellick, to discuss and exchange information regarding the ongoing dispute between the two governments, in order to find a durable, long-term solution to litigation and to demonstrate once again how Canada will continue to argue that softwood lumber is not subsidized.

Minister Pettigrew will also meet with some key members of Congress at Capitol Hill, with the objective of building on the letter/resolution from 100 Members of Congress, signed earlier this year, and to forge ties that will help meet Canada's objective of raising awareness among legislators and U.S. consumers about the direct effects of the duties. During the afternoon, Mr. Pettigrew will break from meetings on Capitol Hill to meet with members of the Canadian and American media at the Canadian Embassy.

All events are scheduled for Monday, September 10, 2001 and are subject to change.

EVENT: Minister Pettigrew to meet with Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans

Cameras only will be allowed at the beginning of the meeting for a brief photo opportunity.

TIME: 10:00 a.m.

LOCATION: U.S. Department of Commerce

Herbert C. Hoover Building

14th and Constitution Ave. N.W.

Washington, D.C.

EVENT: Minister Pettigrew to meet with USTR Robert Zoellick (No media coverage)

TIME: 1:00 p.m.

LOCATION: To be confirmed

Washington, D.C.

EVENT: Media availability (Open media coverage)

TIME: 3:15 p.m.

LOCATION: Canadian Embassy

501 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.

Washington, D.C.

EVENT: Minister Pettigrew to meet with Senator Charles Grassley (R-Indiana)

TIME: 4:00 p.m.

LOCATION: Senate Hart Office Building, Room 135

Washington, D.C.

EVENT: Minister Pettigrew to meet with Representative Sander Levin (D-Michigan), Ranking Member, Trade Subcommittee (No media coverage)

TIME: 4:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Rayburn Building, Room 2300

Washington, D.C.

EVENT: Minister Pettigrew to meet with Representative Jim Kolbe (R-Arizona), original co-sponsor of H. Con. Resolution 45 (No media coverage)

TIME: 5:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Rayburn Building, Room 2266

Washington, D.C.

For more information, please contact:

September 7, 2001 No. 61/Nº 61 Le 7 septembre 2001