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