WTO SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS: CANADA WILL MEET THE

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000575

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

GENEVA FOR USTR - ALICIA GREENIDGE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD CA USTR
SUBJECT: WTO SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS: CANADA WILL MEET THE
OFFER DEADLINE

REF: STATE 49634


1. (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified; please
handle accordingly.


2. (SBU) Canada will submit its services trade offer by the
March 31 deadline, according to Department of Foreign Affairs
and International Trade Director General Suzanne Vinet.
Vinet told EconCouns on February 26 that the Canadian offer
was "all but completed," and said she did not expect the
United States to be surprised by the fact that health care,
education and cultural services would be largely absent from
the Canadian offer.


3. (SBU) EconCouns subsequently discussed Canada's views on
modalities with Multilateral Trade Deputy Director Allison
Young on February 28. Young said she had checked with the
Canadian delegation in Geneva that morning, and it looked as
though only Bulgaria was still raising concerns about the
Chairman's text on modalities. She said Canada hopes the
modalities will be accepted at next week's special session of
the Negotiating Group on Services and is ready to work toward
that end.


4. (SBU) Neither Young nor Vinet had any particular comments
on the U.S. request, other than to note with relief that
healthcare services had not been included.
CELLUCCI