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<title>U.S. STATES AGREE TO STOP TRUCK HARASSMENT</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">October 2, 1998 No. 230</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">U.S. STATES AGREE TO STOP TRUCK HARASSMENT </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Government of Canada welcomes the agreement by the governors of South Dakota
and other northern American states to terminate the harassment of Canadian
truckers and the obstruction of access of Canadian cattle, hogs and grain to the
United States. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For the past two weeks, South Dakota has been blocking Canadian trucks carrying
livestock and grain. Other states, including North Dakota, Idaho, Minnesota,
Montana and Wyoming have increased inspections of Canadian trucks.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"I am pleased that the U.S. federal government has intervened to stop the
harassment," said International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi. "As a result of
this, the Government of Canada has suspended our request for consultations under
the North American Free Trade Agreement and World Trade Organization dispute
settlement processes. However, Canada has advised the U.S. that it will reactivate
the consultations immediately if any U.S. state again restricts or obstructs
access of Canadian agri-food products." </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada took the unprecedented step of requesting consultations under both the
NAFTA and WTO to emphasize to the U.S. government that it must live up to its
international obligations," Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief said.
"The states' agreement to stop harassing trucks opens the way for the two federal
governments to resume the discussions we have been having to address issues the
industry has identified as trade irritants or potential irritants." </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada and the U.S. are each others' best customers," said Minister responsible
for the Canadian Wheat Board Ralph Goodale. "We expect the U.S. to fully honour
their trade obligations and we will be both vigilant and rigorous in defending
Canada's rights and interests."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Minister Vanclief said Canada expects officials from the two federal governments
will meet no later than October 8 to begin discussions. "The American
administration has indicated a number of issues they want to address, and we have
our own issues that concern Canada and Canadian exporters," the Minister said. </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier">-30-</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"><strong></strong></font><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
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<p><font face="Courier">Leslie Swartman</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the
Minister for
International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Sylvie Millette LeDuc</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Press Secretary</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Minister Vanclief's
Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 759-1761</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> John Embury</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> Press Secretary
Minister Goodale's
Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> (613) 996-2007</font></p>
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<p><font face="Courier">or contact: </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
<p align="RIGHT"><font face="CG Times"></font><font face="CG Times"><em>(19:04 p.m. EDT)</em></font></p>
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