NEW U.S.- CANADA AVIATION PRECLEARANCE AGREEMENT

UNCLAS OTTAWA 001251 SIPDIS STATE FOR EB/TRA-SUSAN PARSON AND WHA/CAN-BILL MCCULLA DHS FOR F. KINNEY DHS FOR JOE O'GORMAN AND LIZ TISDALE WHITE HOUSE FOR HSC-CHRIS HORNBARGER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR ECON PREF CA SUBJECT: NEW U.S.- CANADA AVIATION PRECLEARANCE AGREEMENT REF: OTTAWA 965 ¶1. The United States and Canada exchanged diplomatic notes May 2, bringing into effect the Aviation Preclearance Agreement that had been signed in 2001. Ambassador Cellucci exchanged notes with Foreign Minister Graham in a ceremony in Canada's Parliament building. Transportation Minister Collenette also participated. ¶2. The Ministers and the Ambassador made brief remarks. Graham praised the Ambassador for his work to overcome obstacles and bring the agreement into force. He also noted that the agreement took account of the Canadian Charter of Rights and that it would allow for expansion of preclearance services to other airports. Collenette described the advantages of in-transit preclearance, although he did not actually use that term. Ambassador Cellucci said that the agreement helped to improve security for U.S. preclearance personnel, and stressed that preclearance is a great convenience that promotes tourism, business, and family ties among Americans and Canadians. ¶3. There was a substantial press contingent at the event. The questions for the Ambassador and the Ministers, however, focused on upcoming Canadian government decisions about the decriminalization of marijuana and about participation in a missile defense program. ¶4. Comment: In recent conversations, Canadian officials have emphasized that the major advantage to Canada from the new agreement is the prospect of in-transit preclearance in several Canadian airports. However, these officials have said they are not aware of any plans by an airport to request in-transit preclearance in the near term. CELLUCCI