GOC ASSURANCES ON TRIPS AND MEDICINES

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000339 SIPDIS STATE PASS USTR FOR CLAUDE BURCKY GENEVA FOR USTR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD CA SUBJECT: GOC ASSURANCES ON TRIPS AND MEDICINES REF: A. STATE 26895 ¶B. DICKSON-LAITINEN 1/31 EMAIL ¶C. OTTAWA 156 ¶D. OTTAWA 007 ¶1. Econoff discussed the latest evolution in GOC thinking on TRIPS and medicines with Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade IPR Director Catherine Dickson on January ¶30. Dickson reaffirmed the assurances given by Trade Minister Pettigrew in his January 10 phone conversation with USTR Zoellick and the position announced by the Canadian delegation at the January 28 informal TRIPS Council meeting. ¶2. Canada remains disappointed that the TRIPS Council did not resolve the issue by the December 2002 deadline, but shares the USG commitment to finding a long-term, multilateral solution to the problem. In the meantime, said Dickson, the GOC will not take dispute settlement action against any poor country that needs access to medicines to treat a public health crisis (e.g., HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria) but has limited or no manufacturing capablity. ¶3. Dickson underscored the Canadian position in writing via Ref B, which she copied to USTR's Claude Burcky. CELLUCCI